This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Review of Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
25/10/2004
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS)
Review, which reports on departmental performance and
progress from April 2003 to March 2004, is published
today.
Lord Advocate Colin Boyd said that the
review demonstrates that the service is now stronger, more
positive and outward-looking.
He continued:
"In 2002, I made a commitment to improve our quality of
service to the public, and to restore faith in Scotland's
prosecution service. My vision - then and now - is for a
prosecution service that is responsive to the public's
needs and communicates openly and effectively.
"The Review demonstrates the department has made good
progress during the year with our programme of
modernisation. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal
Service is taking its place at the centre of a modern
criminal justice system.
"Clearly there is more still to do, but I am confident
that we have the people, systems and resources to allow us
to continue building and efficient responsive prosecution
service for the people of Scotland."
Highlights of the COPFS performance and progress in
2003-2004 included:
- Setting out priorities and initiatives in a
Strategic Plan for 2004-2006
- Reviewing the investigation and prosecution of rape
and sexual offences
- Issuing guidance on the handling of alleged
offences of racial hatred
- Recovering more than £2,000,000 from the proceeds
of crime
- Agreeing working protocols with the police
- Continuing the roll-out of our Victim Information
and Advice service
- Implementing FOS - a new electronic case processing
system
- Continuing to improve performance against
targets
- Appointing over 100 new members of staff including
20 legal staff
- Retaining Investor in People accreditation
Copies of of the COPFS Review are available in all
Procurator Fiscal offices across the country and on the
department's website.