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Use of Out of Court Resolutions and Outcome 16

Topic: Out of Court Resolutions and Outcome 16

Date of Meeting: 16 September 2024

Decision of PCC: Party assured

Rationale:

In receiving information on Out of Court Resolutions (OoCR) and Outcome 16, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) was looking to:

  • Hold the Chief Constable to account for the application of OoCRs and Outcome 16;
  • Seek assurance that the force has effective processes in place to ensure OoCRs and Outcome 16 are applied consistently, fairly, appropriately and proportionately; and
  • Seek assurance that the Force has measures in place to improve performance. This is in respect of community resolution rates and unsupportive victim rates.

Questions:

  1. What measures does the Force have in place to improve performance? This is in respect of community resolution rates and unsupportive victim rates.
  2. What governance and monitoring processes does the Force have in place? This is to make sure the right outcome type is assigned. It is also to ensure OoCRs and Outcome 16 are applied consistently, fairly and proportionately. In addition, processes should aim to minimise disparities in police outcomes.
  3. How does the Force ensure the victim’s voice is factored into decision-making and their wishes are fully represented and considered?
  4. How does the Force ensure that, when applying Outcome 16, there is an auditable record of the victim’s wish to withdraw support?
  5. In terms of preventing further offending and securing positive outcomes for victims, how is the Force performing?

Meeting Outcome:

The PCC was partly assured by the evidence submitted by the Force.

He acknowledges that the Force is currently working hard to develop an organisational culture, which promotes appropriate use of OoCR and Outcome 16 through guidance, training, monitoring and the introduction of the U-Turn Team. In order to be fully assured, an improvement in the rates of OoCRs would be needed. It would therefore be useful to receive an update in 6 months’ time to ascertain what progress has been made in improving performance rates

Further Information:

A summary of the evidence considered at this meeting and the action agreed, to enable the PCC to maintain a “watching brief” on primary areas of focus, can be accessed below:

Scrutiny Meeting: Out of court disposals and Outcome 16. 16 September 2024 (application, 126kB)