COMMENT


REDUCING THE BURDEN ON DETECTIVES


Detective Sergeant Luke Papps is part of the successful South Worcestershire Proactive CID team at West Mercia Police. He has 14 years’ experience, with half this time spent as a detective, and he shares his views on workloads


The administrative burden placed on colleagues has almost become unmanageable. Increasing amounts of time are being spent on case file preparation and, as in any proactive role, this is counterintuitive. I understand the need for robust


supervisor reviews with the emphasis on quality cases, but the reality is that it has become more difficult to achieve this and obtain pre-charge advice from the CPS.


Only recently, I worked on


a three-handed investigation consisting of two separate events, where part of the evidence gathering was to attribute phone numbers to known individuals. For the pre-charge stage a spreadsheet


was produced that detailed all these numbers, the attribution and the relevant convictions. However, the case was refused, and a subsequent action plan


22 | POLICE | APRIL 2022


requested further individual detailed information in relation to 65 separate phone numbers.


While this information may have been required for trial, there was no obvious requirement for this in relation to the pre- charge decision. This extensive, additional information did not, in my opinion, affect the ability to be provide charging advice. More consideration should be given so


“The reality is that even experienced officers are struggling with day-to- day workloads”


submissions at the pre-charge stages can be updated post-charge, then continued through an investigation. The current requirement for a full trial-ready file at the first hearing aims to try and secure an early plea, but it places much more


pressure on police officers. Consideration should be given to reducing the burden on police. For instance, we could produce an early outline of the available evidence pre-trial, so the defence can review and consider their position. As staged disclosure would already be in place, this could reduce the requirement for some redacted phone reports, call data and analytical products for hearings. The main issues are around unused material, and not the evidential case. We should look at the bureaucracy and administrative pressures on colleagues, which are extensive. The reality is that even experienced officers are


struggling with day-to-day workloads. Regrettably, the current situation also puts off officers from wanting to become detectives, as there is no incentive to become an investigator, apart from an increased workload.


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