How can officers contribute to the success of this initiative?
Operational police officers are generally the first point of contact between victims and witnesses. Therefore, the foundations for quality service and communication within the criminal justice system are laid by individual officers. It is vital that as much relevant witness care information is captured by officers at the earliest opportunity in order to allow VIP a good quality start in supporting victims and witnesses.
The completion of MG forms 2, 6 and the back of the MG11 are crucial in the supply of supportive information. VIP needs to know the preferred contact details of witnesses. In many cases victims of, say, domestic violence do not want phone calls made to their home addresses; maybe a relatives contact number is best in order to properly support that victim and reduce the potential for further criminal offences.
A fully completed MG3 is also important in the supply of such supportive information for advising CPS lawyers at the pre-charge stage of any issues surrounding the quality of victim and witness evidence and any impacts on that quality such as witness intimidation, special requirements of witnesses in the way they might give their evidence in court etc..
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