COPFS consults public on strategy to 2027
The Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is consulting with the public on its new strategic plan, covering the period 2023-2027.
Last year, COPFS ran a consultation on an initial strategic plan framework. The present document, in addition to setting out COPFS's purpose and overall strategy, points up three "transformation priorities" – "priority areas where we will focus much of our improvement work over the next few years". These are:
- women and children in justice – covering the prosecution of sexual offences and domestic abuse, along with the investigation of child deaths, where COPFS commits to service improvements, to improve women's experience of the justice system;
- improved communication and support – for victims and bereaved relatives, during investigations and subsequent prosecutions; and
- quicker conclusions to death and criminal investigations, particularly those involving children and vulnerable witnesses, aiming to deal with the post-Covid backlog of cases and reduce waiting times to pre-vivid levels.
The paper also sets out particular actions to achieve service improvements, deliver high quality casework, and support staff in delivering excellence.
Its aims are set against the context of the effect of the pandemic, including the number of additional deaths reported as well as the case backlog; the changing nature of crime in Scotland, now dominated by sexual crime, and the increased complexity of cases; additional funding that means that staffing and resources are now at an all time high; and a framework of reduced public spending over the plan period, which will put the onus on COPFS to "innovate, improve and deliver".
The plan is intended to be finalised in early 2023, and consultation runs only until 23 January. Responses can be submitted with via an online form or by email.