Investigation and Prosecution Teams
Police officers are usually first on scene, and their initial actions can determine the entire investigation's success. Specialist units like CID handle complex cases and can call in firearms experts or other specialists when needed. They bring problem-solving skills and the ability to think quickly under pressure.
However, the Stephen Lawrence case exposed serious issues with institutional racism in police forces, leading to major reforms. This shows how bias can undermine even the most skilled investigators.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stepped in to solve a major problem - previously, police investigated AND prosecuted cases, creating obvious bias. Now the CPS independently reviews evidence and decides whether prosecution serves the public interest.
This separation prevents police victimisation of individuals and creates more equal justice nationwide. The catch? The CPS sometimes rejects cases police want to pursue, and recent funding cuts mean they're struggling with huge caseloads.
Reality Check: The Damilola Taylor case showed how witness credibility issues can collapse prosecutions, highlighting the CPS's challenging role.