Study seeks improvements in police report handling
24 Aug 06
HMIC/IPS report recommends more sharing of information
A report aimed at improving the way the police and procurators fiscal handle reports on offenders has been published today by HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary and the Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland.
The report - "A Case Study - A joint thematic inspection of Case Management" - examines the processes used by the police to report offenders and procedures used by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service when taking decisions about appropriate action.
The report highlights:
- The strength of the working relationship between the police and procurator fiscal in Scotland
- Improved sharing of key information between the two services
- The development of joint initiatives throughout the country, leading to improved performance by both the police and COPFS.
However, the report also identifies areas for further improvement and recommends:
- A review of case management protocols against current criminal justice reforms
- that ACPOS and COPFS develop a strategy for training on criminal justice issues
- that area fiscals share information with forces on cases marked "no proceedings", to help improve the quality of police reports
- that ACPOS and COPFS create national standards so that all police forces and fiscals know which offences should not be reported or be taken to court.
"No proceedings" variations
The report reveals that more than 19,000 incidents reported by the police in 2004-05 were marked "no proceedings" after being judged too trivial for further action. These were mainly offences such as vandalism, minor assault and breach of the peace.
The police force areas with the highest percentages of such reports are Tayside, Strathclyde and Fife, with 9.1%, 6.5% and 5.5% respectively. Grampian was lowest at 2.5%.
The HMIC/ICP report says time could be saved if lesser offences were dealt with through police warnings and fixed penalties. It adds that this would also benefit communities, because justice would be seen to be done.
Joined-up approach
Kenny McInnes, formerly Assistant Inspector of Constabulary said: "We are operating at a time of significant criminal justice reform. Central to any change must be recognition that the public rightly, now more than ever, demand a justice system that doesn't just process offenders but recognises the needs of communities."
Chief Inspector of IPS Joe O'Donnell said: "Working with HMIC enabled a system wide, joined-up approach to be made to the work."
Welcoming the report, Lord Advocate Colin Boyd said: "Much has been done in recent years to increase efficiency between the police and the prosecution. I welcome these recommendations which highlight where further improvements can be made. We are committed to ensuring that the report's recommendations are acted upon and a substantial number are already being progressed jointly with the police as a part of our approach to summary justice reform."