NCJ Number
123790
Journal
Policing Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1989) Pages: 305-312
Date Published
1989
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The British Crown Prosecution Service, created in 1986, is independent of police forces and although it carries out prosecutions based on police investigations, it does not represent chief constables or carry out legal work on behalf of police officers, as did the preceding Prosecuting Solicitor's Departments. Different Police Authorities have used different solutions to deal with cases involving the police and civil law, discipline, or disagreement between chief constables and the Police Authority.
Abstract
Generally, lawyers who act for police in England and Wales fall into three categories: those acting under the Police Authority of a metropolitan area, members of the Society for County Secretaries who work in county hall, and those appointed as solicitor to the chief constable. As a result of a famous charge of negligence against a county chief constable, all these solicitors gather periodically to create an atmosphere of mutual cooperation and to organize a system of exchanging judgements, decisions, and other helpful information. These meetings, held semi-annually, have expanded to include new appointments and lawyers in county hall who work on police issues. Throughout the past few years, this regular contact has led to resolution of various problems. The exchange of expertise has resulted in a higher quality of legal advice given to chief constables. The sole disappointment has been reluctance on the part of some police authorities to recognize the need for a position of Solicitor to the Chief Constable. A listing of solicitors to chief constables appointed since 1986 is included. (Publisher abstract modified)