Unit 4 AC3.1

Question 1

What are the aims of the police?

Answer 1

The aims of the police include keeping peace and maintaining order, protecting life and property, preventing, detecting, and investigating crime, and bringing offenders to justice.

Question 2

What powers do the police use to achieve their aims?

Answer 2

The police use certain powers such as stop and search and arrest to achieve their aims.

Question 3

Under which act are most police powers given?

Answer 3

Most police powers are given under the Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

Question 4

Who founded the first modern professional police force in Britain?

Answer 4

Sir Robert Peel founded the first modern professional police force in Britain in 1829.

Question 5

What is the basic mission of the police according to Sir Robert Peel?

Answer 5

The basic mission of the police is to prevent crime and disorder.

Question 6

What does the police’s ability to perform their duties depend on?

Answer 6

The police’s ability to perform their duties depends on the public’s cooperation and approval.

Question 7

When is the use of physical force considered by the police?

Answer 7

The use of physical force is considered a last resort by the police.

Question 8

What is the duty of the police?

Answer 8

The police’s duty is to impartially serve the law.

Question 9

What is the relationship between the police and the public?

Answer 9

The police are the public and the public are the police.

Question 10

How are the police described in relation to citizens?

Answer 10

The police are described as citizens in uniform.

Question 11

What was the total police budget in 2020/21?

Answer 11

The total police budget was £15.2 billion.

Question 12

What are the three sources of police funding?

Answer 12

The three sources of police funding are central government (around 2/3rds), local council tax, and charging for police services.

Question 13

By what percentage did police funding drop between 2010 and 2018?

Answer 13

Police funding dropped by 19% between 2010 and 2018.

Question 14

How many regional police forces are there in England?

Answer 14

There are 39 regional police forces in England.

Question 15

How many police forces are there in Wales?

Answer 15

There are 4 police forces in Wales.

Question 16

What is an example of a police force in England?

Answer 16

An example of a police force in England is the Metropolitan Police.

Question 17

How many police forces are there in Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Answer 17

There is 1 police force for Scotland and 1 for Northern Ireland.

Question 18

What are some specialist police organizations with UK-wide reach?

Answer 18

Specialist police organizations with UK-wide reach include the National Crime Agency, the British Transport Police, and the Border Force.

Question 19

What are special constables?

Answer 19

Unpaid, part-time volunteers who undergo the same training and have the same legal powers as paid officers.

Question 20

What is the role of police community support officers?

Answer 20

They have limited powers, often dealing with anti-social behaviour on the streets.

Question 21

What are police and crime commissioners?

Answer 21

Elected representatives of the people of the area covered by a police force, accountable to the electorate.

Question 22

What is the aim of police and crime commissioners?

Answer 22

To cut crime and ensure efficient and effective policing.

Question 23

What is the focus of specialist policing at the national level?

Answer 23

To tackle specific crimes that require a different set of skills.

Question 24

What are some examples of specialist policing teams?

Answer 24

Child exploitation and online protection, Counter terrorism command, The national crime agency.

Question 25

What is the crown prosecution service (CPS)?

Answer 25

The CPS is the main public prosecutor in England and Wales and was set up in 1985.

Question 26

Why was the CPS established?

Answer 26

It took over the prosecuting role from the police due to the risk of bias in allowing the police to both investigate and prosecute cases.

Question 27

What types of cases does the CPS prosecute?

Answer 27

The CPS prosecutes all serious or complex cases, while the police still prosecute some very minor offences.

Question 28

What is one role of the CPS?

Answer 28

Advise the police in their investigations about lines of inquiry and the evidence needed to build a case.

Question 29

What does the CPS do with the evidence submitted by the police?

Answer 29

Independently assesses the evidence and keeps cases under continuous review.

Question 30

What decision does the CPS make regarding prosecution?

Answer 30

Decides whether to prosecute and if so, what charges should be brought.

Question 31

How does the CPS prepare for court?

Answer 31

It prepares the prosecution case and presents it in court, using its own lawyers and self-employed specialists.

Question 32

What support does the CPS provide to victims?

Answer 32

It assists, informs, and supports victims and prosecution witnesses.

Question 33

What are the core values of the CPS?

Answer 33

Independence and fairness, honesty and openness, treating everyone with respect, behaving professionally and striving for excellence, equality and inclusion.

Question 34

Where does most of the CPS income come from?

Answer 34

Most of the CPS income comes from the government, with a budget of around half a billion pounds per year.

Question 35

How does the CPS recover some of its costs?

Answer 35

The CPS recovers some of its costs when the courts award costs against defendants.

Question 36

What significant funding changes has the CPS faced recently?

Answer 36

The CPS has suffered significant funding cuts.

Question 37

What did the head of the CPS report in 2018 regarding the budget?

Answer 37

In 2018, the head of the CPS reported that its budget had fallen by 25% and that it had lost a third of its staff.

Question 38

What types of criminality does the CPS deal with?

Answer 38

The CPS deals with a full range of offences and criminals, taking responsibility for all serious cases.

Question 39

What is the national and local reach of the CPS?

Answer 39

The CPS is a national body throughout England and Wales, with 14 regional area teams headed by a chief crown prosecutor.

Question 40

What is CPS Direct?

Answer 40

CPS Direct is a virtual 15th area, providing charging decisions to police nationwide, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Question 41

What tests does the CPS set out to prosecute?

Answer 41

The CPS sets out two tests for prosecution: the evidential test and the public interest test.

Question 42

Can a suspect be charged if there is not enough evidence for immediate prosecution?

Answer 42

Yes, a suspect may still be charged under certain circumstances even if there is not enough evidence currently available for immediate prosecution.

Question 43

What test must the CPS apply when charging a suspect?

Answer 43

The CPS must apply the threshold test.