A central plank of domestic violence policy in NSW is more than two years overdue for review, sparking concerns police are being "set up to fail" as key legal changes come into effect.
NSW Police's domestic and family violence policy was published in 2018 and states a review date of October 2021.
The policy sets out to "clearly articulate how, through adherence to clear principles and a comprehensive and co-ordinated response, the NSW Police Force will reduce domestic and family violence".
The office of NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley confirmed a review of the policy had not occurred.
Instead, an initiative dubbed the DFV Reform project has superseded it, including a registry for high-risk offenders and a support app for victims.
However, no information has been published about details of the project, such as its objectives nor how it will incorporate coercive control offences, which will be introduced in NSW from July.
A Freedom of Information request to Ms Catley's office for details about the reform strategy was denied on the basis of cabinet confidentiality.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith said the reform project was significant for the organisation and relied upon completion of several technology projects.
"The current DV policy and (operating procedures) are being rewritten and remain at present in review until project completion when a new code of practice will be announced," he told AAP in a statement.
No timeframe for the updated policy release was given.
Mr Smith referred to the NSW government's domestic and family violence plan as providing key details for police work, although it contains only general references to law-enforcement operations.
Jane Lloyd, acting chief executive of Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS), said police domestic violence policies should be updated to ensure they were in line with the latest evidence, particularly to address the issue of coercive control.
"Without it, we are hindering the ability to effectively identify the person most in need of protection, reduce risk and increase safety," she told AAP.
NSW Greens gendered violence spokeswoman Abigail Boyd said she was shocked but unsurprised by the delay in rolling out a revised policy.
"These are all signs of a policing system that is setting police officers up to fail in their task of keeping women and children safe," she said.
“I’m very concerned that these operating procedures have not been updated, because it is a symptom of a police force that doesn’t have the focus or the resources to deal with the task of reducing domestic violence incidences."
At least 67 women were killed nationwide in 2023 as a result of domestic violence.
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