Tech key to DPP strategy as files increase by 40%
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has launched a strategy statement for the office for two-year period to 2024.
The DPP Catherine Pierse (pictured) said that a plan for significant investment in the prosecution service 鈥 including its digital and technology capability 鈥 would be key to delivering some of the strategy鈥檚 objectives.
The DPP directs and supervises public prosecutions on indictment in the courts, and the office has 230 staff.
Need for 鈥榮trong鈥 IT systems
Launching , the director said that it came at a 鈥渃hallenging time鈥, with 鈥渦nprecedented growth鈥 in the demands on the service, arising largely from an increase in case files and from the backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The number of files submitted to the office has increased by 40% since 2017.
The strategy states that the role of social media and the 鈥漞xponential growth鈥 of digital data relevant to criminal investigations 鈥渉as and will continue to impact hugely鈥 on the office鈥檚 work.
鈥滻n this sphere, there is a need for strong ICT and governance systems to assist with the analysis and management of data relevant to cases,鈥 the plan says.
Accommodation a priority
The document sets out four strategic goals for the period to 2024, under four headings:
- Digital,
- Service,
- People, and
- Collaboration.
The DPP says that investment is needed to enhance the inter-operability of its ICT systems, and to participate in technology initiatives with key stakeholders across the criminal-justice system.
Resources
The office also says it will 鈥渁ssess and seek鈥 the resources needed to respond to the changing demands on the service, and 鈥渃ontinuously review鈥 its case-management and prosecution processes.
On staff, the DPP鈥檚 office says that it will continue to recruit and retain 鈥渉ighly capable and professional people with a strong commitment to public service鈥.
It adds, however, that addressing its 鈥渁cute鈥 accommodation needs will be a priority after recent growth.
The office also commits itself to sharing its knowledge and expertise, and learning from the perspective of others, to improve the criminal-justice system.