AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

• Reduce crime and maintain law and order

• Protection of life and property

• Preservation of the peace

• Prevention and detection of criminal offences

They work alongside communities and have powers of:

• Arrest

• Detention

• Search

• Interview

Powers are contained in the Police and criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984

FUNDING

In England and Wales, the main source of funding is a central government grant. Funding is also received from local council tax and charging for policing specific events, e.g. football matches. For the financial year of 2020-21, the total policing budget is £15.2 Billion.

WORKING PRACTICES

Divided into force areas and managing own budgets. 

• Monitor all criminal activity - respond to emergency calls. 

• Provide a policing service to the community - patrols. 

• Reduce crime. 

• Work in partnership with other community organisations.  Work with & support other agencies in the criminal justice system such as courts and probation service. 

• Investigate crime - arrest, detain & question suspects in accordance with legal obligations. 

• Testify in court. 

• Neighbourhood policing - local areas. 

• Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) – support police officers with some powers. 

• Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) – regionally elected – the voice of the people and hold the police to account.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

• Decide which cases must be prosecuted

• Determine appropriate charges in more serious or complex cases and advise police

• Prepare cases and present them at court

• Provide information and support to victims and prosecution witnesses 

PHILOSOPHY:

• independence and fairness

• honesty and openness

• treating everyone with respect

• behaving professionally and striving for excellence

• equality and inclusion

FUNDING

• Most of the budget is provided by Parliament.

• When costs are awarded at court the CPS recovers some of the costs of prosecution from defendants. 

• CPS can recover criminal assets through its confiscation, restraint and enforcement activities

• 2018-2019 budget was over £567,000,000 (half a billion pounds)

ORGANISATION

Divided into 13 geographical areas across England and Wales.

• CPS Direct available 24/7 to provide police with charging advice

• Head of the CPS is called the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)

WORKING PRACTICES

• Full Code Test used to decide if a prosecution should take place

  •  Evidential test

  • Public interest test

• Threshold test – if suspect presents a bail risk and insufficient evidence to charge as not all evidence available.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Role of a judge in a Crown Court criminal case is to make decisions about the law including

• Interpretation (set precedent)

• Application

• Ensures human rights adhered to

• Explain procedure and legal issues to the jury

• Sum up evidence at the end of a case for the jury

• Decide on appropriate sentence if defendant is found guilty 

• Judges in appeal courts (Supreme Court and Court of Appeal) rule on appeal cases

PHILOSOPHY:

• Judicial independence - free from government interference

• impartiality - not showing favour to one side

• integrity - being honest and strong principles

• propriety - upholding standards

• ensuring equal treatment - for everyone who comes before a court

• competence - knowledge and ability

FUNDING

• Judges salaries are decided following recommendations made by the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB)

• SSRB provides that advice to:

  • Prime Minister

  • Lord Chancellor

  • Secretary of State for Defence

• Judicial salaries are high (between £110,000 and £257,000) but, some successful barristers and solicitors can earn a lot more than a judge.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1020732/judical-fee-salary-21-22.pdf

WORKING PRACTICES

Divided into

• Superior judges – those working in the High Court and above

• Inferior judges – those working in the lower courts

Judges are sworn in and take oaths

1. Oath of Allegiance

2. Judicial Oath

Oath of allegiance

“I, _________ , do swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her heirs and successors, according to law.”

Judicial oath“I, _________ , do swear by Almighty God that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Second in the office of ________ , and I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of this realm, without fear or favour, affection or ill will.”

• Judges are independent

• Make decisions based on the law, facts and evidence

• Free from political control

• Cannot be dismissed by the government

• Appointed and have security of tenure (salary is guaranteed and cannot be altered by the government. 

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

• To keep those sentenced to prison in custody

• Help them lead law abiding and useful live

• Works with the courts, police and local councils

PHILOSOPHY:

• "Preventing victims by changing the lives of offenders"

FUNDING

• Government funded with finances raised through taxation

• In 2015 budget - £3.4 billion, reduced to £3 billion in 2018

• Costs approximately £37,000 per year to keep someone in prison

WORKING PRACTICES

Public sector and run by HM Prison Service/National Offender management Service

There are 14 private prisons – 

• e.g. Contracted security firm G4S run HMP Birmingham

Divided into 4 categories:

• Category A – high/risk max security (HMP Frankland)

• Category B – high risk to others (HMP Nottingham)

• Category C – lower risk but not open (HP Dartmoor)

• Category D – very low risk to others and due for release soon (HMP Ford)

Privileges – depend on behaviour

All start at ‘standard level’ – move to enhanced level.

Each level gives rights and privileges (TV in room, more time in gym) 

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

• Charities work with people that they identify as being in need: this could be victims OR offenders

• Pressure groups campaign to make changes in the law and in procedures

FUNDING

• Funding varies significantly according to the size and scope of the group: local groups main have budgets of £1000s, whereas some of the largest charities manage budgets of £50 million + each year

• Sources of funding:

  • Public donations

  • Government grants (often linked to specific projects)

  • Payment for specific services (e.g. contracts with the government or government agencies)

WORKING PRACTICES

• Some of these groups are national and some are regional

• Some work with offenders or victims, and others work with both

• Many also try to work with other groups in the community such as schools, businesses and prisons

The best way to understand these groups is with a specific example:

NACRO = National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders

• Founded 1966

• Aims: change lives; strengthen communities, and prevent crime

• Provides:

  • Housing - provides homes for over 3,000 released offenders

  • Education - provides education and training to nearly 5,000 people

  • Resettlement support - helping released offenders find accommodation and employment

  • Outreach - working with young people to stop crime

• Ban the Box campaign - trying to change the Offenders Act 1974 which allows employers to ask if people have previous convictions

• NACRO is a national organisation with a budget of over £50 million and more than 50 regional offices