A case study – A joint thematic inspection of case management

Recommendation 1 - that ACPOS and COPFS progress a review of the existing Joint Protocol in light of current developments within the criminal justice system, and agree a refreshed joint protocol that will serve as a catalyst for further improvements in case management. ACPOS and COPFS should also develop an implementation plan to deliver the refreshed Joint Protocol, with key deliverables, milestones and monitoring arrangements. (Page 9)

Recommendation 2 - that police forces not already compliant, assess their current performance in consultation with Procurators Fiscal and identify achievable incremental milestones for submitting police reports to the Procurator Fiscal within 28 days. These should include a realistic milestone for when they expect to meet the target of 80% within 28 days. (Page 21)

Recommendation 3 - that ACPOS and COPFS support the introduction of end-to-end targets which drive the joint performance of criminal justice partners in relation to their key processes in bringing offenders to justice. (Page 23)

Recommendation 4 - that ACPOS incorporate the current and proposed data requirements for criminal justice as part of the user specification for any common IT solution to support police performance management. (Page 25)

Recommendation 5 - that ACPOS and COPFS review and update the " Guidance on Police Reports, Statements and the Presentation of Evidence in Court", previously revised in 2004, and disseminate this updated guidance across police forces and Area Procurators Fiscal. (Page 27)

Recommendation 6 - that Area Procurators Fiscal routinely share information in respect of "no proceedings" with police forces and jointly develop these as an indicator for the quality of police reports submitted. Information in respect of cases marked "No Proceedings Further Action Disproportionate" should be jointly developed as an indicator for the effectiveness of non-reporting and non-court options. (Page 29)

Recommendation 7 - that where forces elect for case management units, these units should have clearly defined roles which support officers in providing reports of an appropriate standard, and should monitor the internal sub-processes to ensure that reports are submitted within appropriate timescales and are ISCJIS compliant. (Page 30)

Recommendation 8 - that forces, in consultation with Area Procurators Fiscal, examine the role of the police co-located officer to define priorities and core responsibilities. The role should be subject to annual review and evaluated to quantify business benefits to both services. Forces and Area Procurators Fiscal should also assess the information requirements of co-located officers and provide appropriate access to relevant systems. (Page 42)

Recommendation 9 - that ACPOS and COPFS review the current and proposed range of non-reporting and non-court options, with a view to establishing a national framework to inform forces and Procurators Fiscal of which offences are most suited to which disposal. (Page 51)

Recommendation 10 - that ACPOS and COPFS evaluate the benefits of abbreviated reports against developments in non-reporting and non-court disposals, with a view to including reporting formats within any national framework to inform forces and Procurators Fiscal which offences are most suited to the use of abbreviated reports. (Page 53)

Recommendation 11 - that ACPOS and COPFS review the current target to respond to all requests for information within 14 days, and establish a new target set against the date by which the response is required. COPFS should also explore the feasibility of using the Future Office System ( FOS) to record and monitor performance relating to requests for information. (Page 57)

Recommendation 12 - that ACPOS and COPFS establish a new target for submitting statements, set against the date by which the statements are required. COPFS should also explore the feasibility of using the Future Office System ( FOS) to record and monitor performance in relation to submitting statements. (Page 60)

Recommendation 13 - that ACPOS and COPFS develop a joint protocol for disclosure requests. (Page 61)

Recommendation 14 - that ACPOS and COPFS, as part of the review of the Joint Protocols, establish a joint working group to develop a strategy for training on criminal justice issues, including Standard Police Reports and statement taking. (Page 64)