Force Legal

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FOI/23/5753

Version Date: 13/12/2023

The Legal Services Department have provided the following information.

1. Provide a description of the function of 'FORCE LEGAL'.

To represent and advise the Chief Constable and Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner in legal matters

2. When did 'FORCE LEGAL' come into effect throughout your force.

Data not held by Legal Services

3. Is 'FORCE LEGAL' staffed by D&C personnel or by an external source.

Staffed by Devon & Cornwall Police staff

4. Is 'FORCE LEGAL' subject to D&C confidentiality procedures and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Yes

5. Does 'FORCE LEGAL' have access to PND and PNC.

No

Please provide the full list of crimes now proscribed by Force Legal and/or your force overall as being CIVIL Matters, hence you will no longer investigate as a police matter.

Legal Services is not responsible for considering the circumstances of an incident with a view to determining if any criminal offences have occurred and subsequently if a criminal investigation is to be started. This decision rests with police officers.

Clarification:
I use the term 'FORCE LEGAL' as that was the wording used to me but I have been made aware that some form of legal decision-making affects all crime reports in all force areas. It appears to push the onus back on the public to deal with their problems without police involvement. I regard it as an overarching term for the introduction of cost/benefit interventions in crime reports to prevent any investigation being carried out. What used to be reported to police is now rebutted as a civil matter