Tbf, courts are running about 4yrs behind for non guilty cases. Wonder if CPS determined it wasn't a case with a likelihood of winning or not in the public interest. Offender has had a stronger punishment now with the public release of information and losing his seat I would imagine.
That is true re the courts and the backlog is long due to Covid. Not sure re CPS, police can do a ‘community resolution’ on the spot as long as all parties agree. But there’s clear evidence there of the act of assault. It probably comes down to the discretion of the attending officers initially.
…however these tools the police use can be seen as ‘cuffing the job’ IE looking for the most painless and easy course of action out of a dispute that would suit the investigating officer rather than the complainant. ‘Cuffing’ is and has been widespread.
It def used to be, then the influx of criming everything raised figures. Now with the mandatory communication and review dates, there should be far less 'cuffing'. If anything, recently I've seen more work added to cases where a simpler approach would have been resolved with less box ticking
Of course ultimately we don’t know exactly what happened there with the police. But these kind of practices do occur and more regularly than you’d think. Pressuring complainants in low level assaults to opt for easier disposal options that suit the police, rather than the person. I’ve seen it.
Having worked in policing for over 20yrs in various forces, I'm aware of what used to happen, and also the difficulties in actually getting a case through to CPS and a trial. A response PC would run all cases through a sgt/inps and cases like this reviewed by another dept before sending a file.
Each force has slightly different ways of managing a PCs workload and monitoring it.
They do, as do forensic units, but with better oversight & HO management there are now different reporting rules in place. Training has been updated & changed as well, & many of the old 'we've always done it this way' sweats have now gone, which is a blessing! CPS short staffed everywhere still.
I’m sure we’re on the same page? so I’ll leave this convo now.