CPS Response to CJJI Inspection of Joint Case Building by the Police and Crown Prosecution Service, 25 January 2024

The Criminal Justice Joint Inspection (His Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) have today issued an interim report following phase 1 of their joint Inspection of joint case building by the Police and CPS.

The relationship between the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Police is critical to the efficient and effective pursuit of justice and the functioning of the criminal justice system. The CPS very much welcomes the Criminal Justice Joint Inspection’s work examining this and the helpful pointers the early findings contained in the interim report highlight.  In due course, we look forward seeing and considering the findings of phase 2 of the inspection and the recommendations that may arise out of that.

The CPS values highly its working relationship with policing. The interim report alludes to issues which are known and are already under joint consideration by both agencies, often through joint governance meetings, but we recognise that more work needs to be done to build on and improve culture, communication, and partnership.

Work has commenced through the Joint (Police and CPS) Operational Improvement Board (JOIB) to explore the development of shared performance metrics, recognising that Policing and CPS have separate statutory responsibilities, so (where possible) both can pursue shared success measures.

Inspectorates’ Recommendations / Issues to address

There are no recommendations/issues to address at this stage. This is an interim report designed to help inform the ongoing national debate on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the criminal justice system. Recommendations will be made after phase 2 of the joint inspection is completed in a final report, scheduled for publication in ‘Spring 2024’.