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Public Prosecution in England: Resistance to Change in a Major Police Force

NCJ Number
155080
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 13 Issue: 3 Dated: (1994) Pages: 169- 189
Author(s)
B Wakefield; J D Hirschel; S Sasse
Date Published
1994
Length
21 pages
Annotation
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that replaced prosecution by police in England and Wales starting in 1986 was studied with respect for its rationale, problems and benefits, and attitudes and reactions of police officers and police managers.
Abstract
The service was established to insert an independent element into the prosecution process to achieve a fairer, more open, and more efficient system. The reactions of police officers were determined through personal interviews consisting of 105 police constables and 35 police managers in the London police department in 1990. Results revealed generally negative attitudes toward the CPS. Although both constables and management thought the CPS was a good idea, a majority of both groups believed that the CPS was not doing a good job. Many believed that this was due to insufficient funding or other extraneous factors. The degree of general negativity was lower than in a similar study in 1987. Thus, it is increasingly unlikely that the police will seek to sabotage the new system, although attitudinal change occurs slowly in large institutions. It is essential that the police communicate and cooperate with the prosecutors in meeting the goals and objectives of the independent prosecution system. Only ongoing research and experience will reveal whether this system will be more effective than the previous one. Tables, notes, and 39 references

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