'It was a real eye opener' - Award-winning West Midlands detective lifts the lid on what it takes to become a family liaison officer

DC Sharon Mason-Spanner, who works on the Homicide Team, has been in the role for 11 years and has been awarded a Family Liaison Lifetime Achievement award.

She has lifted the lid on what had led her to take on the role, having seen the work of the lead Family Liaison Officer (FLO) following a murder in Sedgley.

She said: “In 2012, whilst working on a Major Investigation Team, I was assisting a team who were dealing with a murder in Sedgley where a man was beaten to death. 

"One of my colleagues was the lead Family Liaison Officer (FLO) and due to a shortage of FLOs on the team at that time and the interest I demonstrated, it was agreed that I could be the deputy FLO.

“It was a real eye opener. It was a pretty horrific beating. 

"Having to later sit with the mother and partner of the deceased and watch my colleague explain in detail what injuries he had sustained, and what the offenders had done to him after his death was both excruciating and heart-breaking.

“The way my colleague prepared them for what they were about to hear, in as much as she could, was admirable and I realised the skills necessary to fulfil this challenging role.

“I requested a Family Liaison Officers course, which I received and completed in 2013."

DC Mason-Spanner spoke about the first deployment she had and how she coped with the physical and mental effects of the role.

She said: "My first deployment was to a double child homicide and completing the viewings of the bodies with their mother was a particularly distressing time, and one which I’ll never forget. 

"I’ve always found the toughest part of the role is when a child is the victim of the investigation.

“A homicide detective job is challenging as you are always dealing with the death of someone’s loved one. Being the FLO puts you in an even closer position to that grief.

“I’ve never had a deployment as a FLO which has made me think I’d want to give up being one. 

"I took it one deployment at a time as you will never know the impact any given investigation can have on you both physically and mentally."

She said that FLOs are still investigators and are not there to be at the behest of a family, despite the situation they find themselves in, and said that a lot of work needed to go in to how they approached each case.

She said: "It can be challenging at times to find the right balanced approach, particularly when they are so upset at losing a loved one.

“Being one of the more experienced FLOs in the department I have helped others who are new to the role conduct their first deployments. 

"Good communication skills are essential. Being an active listener and being able to empathise with the family encourages and helps build trust.

“You need to be patient and understanding and open and honest with the family about what you are and aren’t allowed to tell them about the investigation from the start will make for a better, trusting relationship.

“The most rewarding part is when I am able to obtain the trust and confidence of a family. Building such a meaningful rapport enables the police to maintain contact and the flow of information between the family and investigation. 

"It is also extremely rewarding when the offender is convicted of the murder and witnessing some positive emotions within the family setup.

“I stay with them throughout the investigation right up to trial/conviction, and also throughout any appeal process.

“As I prepare for retirement and look back on my career I hope some of them have found the guidance I have given them useful in future investigations. 

"I hope that my presence and support made a positive impact on the experience they had during such a difficult time.”