HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland and HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland have just published a Terms of Reference for an inspection of how effectively and efficiently prosecution witnesses are cited to give evidence in the sheriff court. This includes members of the public who have been the victim of a crime or who have witnessed a crime, as well as police and professional witnesses. They will consider whether and how the experience of being cited to attend court can be improved, and whether there is scope to modernise and achieve efficiencies in the citation process.
The inspection will be carried out by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and HM Inspectorate of Prosecution. Working together will allow them to consider the citation process from both a prosecution and a policing perspective. The Terms of Reference can be found on the website at: IPS and HMICS – Citing witnesses in the sheriff court – Terms of Reference | HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland.
In support of the inspection, they have also launched two short surveys inviting witnesses to share their views and experiences of the citation process. Responses to the survey will be used to shape findings and recommendations. One survey is aimed at police officers, police staff and members of the SPA. The other survey is for members of the public – victims and witnesses, as well as professional and expert witnesses.
More information about the policing survey and a link to the survey itself can be found on the PS and SPA intranets.