Unit 4 3.1- Agencies in Social Control. Police and CPS Flashcards
Role of Police in Social Control (1)- Role + Funding
Role of the Police- Protection of life & property, preservation of the peace, and prevention & detection of crime. Working alongside communities & having statutory powers of: arrest, detention, search, interview. Powers are continued in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (1984)
Funding- Central government grant made available through the annual Home Officer Police Grant report & council tax
Can also charge for some of their special services. Above core policing at the request of a person or organisations such as football matches
Role of Police in Social Control (2)- Practices
Working alongside communities to develop knowledge & conduct patrol duties
Respond to calls & requests from the public to assist at incidents
Keep peace at public meetings and social events
Conduct arrests and interview suspects, victims & witnesses
Role of Police in Social Control (3)- Powers + Specialist
To accomplish this, have powers. Such as stop and search to prevent crimes. Reference to act as an external form of SC.
‘Specialist roles’ in the police, with branches covering a wide range. E.G:
Anti-terrorism
Covert operations
Firearms
Dog Handlers
Role of Police in Social Control (4)- Public Respect + Department
Most comply with the police cod of conduct to retain public respect, keeps them as respectable figures that uphold law as “citizens in uniform”
General policing, departments that specialise in specific duties, fraud, drug squads, special branch, covert operations, surveillance teams. To tackle certain crimes more efficiency to maintain social control.
Role of Police in Social Control (5)- Links
Can work with other criminal justice agencies to reinfoce social control.
Working with the CPS, police can prosecute offenders by investigating and supplying them with valid and ample evidence for prosectution case,
If successfuland charge severe enough to warrant prison, police can fufil their role to the communuty of public protection, also deterring through successfuly display consequences of crime.
Role of Police in Social Control (6)- Philosophy
Fairness
Honesty
Integrity
Openness
Respect
Role of Police in Social Control (7)- Community Support Officer
Work on the frontline providing a visible and reassuring presence on the streets and tackling anti-social behaviour
Also, Special Constables who are trained volunteers possessing the full range of policing powers; give up spare time to provide policing support - not paid but can claim reasonable expenses
Role of the CPS in Social Control (1) - Role - Funding
The CPS role in external control is to ensure a fair process of punishment through accessing evidence submitted by police to build a case, and whether or not to prosecute a case. Prior to the Prosecution of Offences Act (1985), the Police investigated AND prosecuted criminal cases. However, to promote independence, the CPS began in 1986
They achieve this through a 500 Million budget funded by the government. However, due to a cut of 25% of their budget, 1/3 of their staff are gone and there is a backlog of cases.
Role of the CPS in Social Control (2) - Aims and Objectives
Decide which cases should be prosecuted, keeping all under continous review
Determine appropriate charge in serious & complex cases and advise police (CPS Direct)
Prepare cases and present them at court via a range of advocates
Provide information, assistance and support to victims & prosecution witnesses
Role of the CPS in Social Control (3) - Philosophy
Independent & Fair
Honest & Open
Treat everyone with respect
Behave professionally & strive for excellence
Role of the CPS in Social Control (4) - Working Practices 1
To accomplish this, they have three tests that they to see if a case is plausable to prosecute. The Evidental test tests whether there’s enough evidence for a realistic prospect of convicting a suspect. This evidence also needs to be admissible, reliable and credible.
Role of the CPS in Social Control (5) - Working Practices 2
The public interest test considers 7 questions: Seriousness of the offence, Suspects level of blame, Harm victim suffered, age and maturity, impact on community, proprionate response to offence and do information require protection,
If both fail, there is one final test called the threshold test. There must be reasonable grounds to believe the suspect is guilty, and that further evidence can be obtained later, or the offence is serious enough to justify immediate charging as it would too risky to allow bail.
Role of the CPS in Social Control (6) - Links
The CPS also work with other agencies to reinforce social control.
The CPS work with the Police to ensure that their case is prosecutable.
If succesfful, their colalboration puts away a criminal.
