This document includes notes on AC 3.1 for the unit 4 criminology exam. It contains posters on each agency detailing their aims, working practices, funding, etc. Also provides all the necessary content to get an A.
The Police
Aims & Objectives
Reduce crime and maintain law and order. Involves the protection of life and property,
preservation of the people and prevention/detection of criminal offences.
They achieve this by working alongside communities and having the statutory powers of
arrest, detention, search and interview. Their powers are substantially contained in the Police
and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE).
Philosophy Funding
Police have a code of conduct They are funded by the government (Home Office), and a
which says they will work 1/3 via taxes. In 2018/19 the cost to run the police force
with the public with honesty was £12 billion. Between 2010 and 2018 funding had
integrity, authenticity, respect, reduced by 19% which led to 20,000 officers (1/6 of the
courtesy, equality and force) leaving. Some investigations and preventative
diversity. measures are prioritised over others.
Working practices
Officers are responsible for general beat duties and response to emergency and non-emergency
calls from the public. Some move on to more specialist roles such as firearms, dog handlers,
drugs, anti-terrorism etc.
PCSOs: work on the front line providing a visible and reassuring presence on the street and
tackling anti-social behaviour.
PCCs: association of PCCS 2017 “are the voice of the people and hold the police to account with
an aim to cut crime and deliver effective/efficient police service within force area”.
, AC 3.1
The CPS
Aims & Objectives
Prior to the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, the police not only investigated but also
prosecuted criminal cases, on behalf of the state. However, in an attempt to promote
independence, the CPS became the principal prosecuting authority in England and Wales in
1986. The police maintained their investigatory role.
The CPS: must decide which cases should be prosecuted, keeping them all under continuous
review. Determine the appropriate charges in more serious or complex cases and advise the
police, particularly during the early stages of an investigation. Prepare cases and present them
at court using a range of in-house advocates, self-employed advocates or agents. Provide
information, assistance and support to victims and prosecution witnesses.
Funding Working Practice
The CPS is a government- The CPS consists of 13 geographical areas across England
funded body with the majority and Wales, and CPS Direct is available 24/7 to provide the
of its budget being approved by police with advice on charging offenders.
parliament: the 2016/17
There is a code of practice used to help decide if a
budget being over £500 million.
prosecution should take place. It has 2 parts, and both
While costs are awarded by
must be satisfied for a prosecution to take place:
courts, the CPS recovers some
evidential test and public interest test.
of the costs of its prosecution
from defendants. Additionally, Evidential test – when deciding whether there is enough
the CPS recovers criminal evidence against the defendant the Crown Prosecutors
assets through its confiscation, must consider whether evidence can be used in court and
restraint and enforcement is reliable and credible. Crown Prosecutors must be
activities. satisfied there is enough evidence to provide a ‘realistic
prospect of conviction’ against the defendant.
Public Interest test – A prosecution will usually occur
unless the prosecutor is sure that the public interest
factors against prosecution outweigh those tending in
favour.
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