A co-produced pilot prototype model for critical reflection in the police investigation of rape and serious sexual offences

Rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) investigations face complex and intrusive forensic evidential demands and a lengthy criminal justice process causing significant attrition, which can lead to entrenched attitudes exposing adherence to rape myths, resulting in the poor treatment of victim–survivors. Police organizations are inherently risk-averse, focusing on the scrutiny of mistakes, creating a ‘blame culture’. Critical reflective practice (CRP) is a mechanism to assess and diagnose practical operational approaches without focusing on blame. We deployed a CRP framework for RASSO investigations in one police force area, involving (a) evidence review and stakeholder consultation, (b) co-production of a model of CRP and (c) development and piloting of a prototype CRP model. The proposed CRP prototype model supported the After Action Review approach, which includes discrete phases of feedback, review, developing strategies for future tasks and assessing areas for improvement. We identified enhancements to this model, including creating a timely feedback loop to incorporate prior experiential knowledge and the importance of establishing psychological safety across all stages. This enhanced critical reflection model was perceived to have operational salience for RASSO investigations.