Information related to CRIS report

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.042179

I note you seek access to the following information:

These are questions related to the Victim/Onformant/Witness page(s) of a CRIS report.

1. Under what circumstances can an officer complete an entry regarding the 'vcop Actn Compl?' field.
2. When the date and officer's name next to this 'vcop Actn Compl?' field is entered - is this the date the victim was updated of the investigation disposal decision?
3. When the date and officer's name next to this 'vcop Actn Compl?' field is entered - and the CPS / Police decision was to NFA the investigation would this be the update that the 'vcop Actn Compl?' would be informung the victim about?
4. What does the acronym 'HK-VU' stand for?
5. What does the acronym 'HX-VU' stand for?
6. What does the acronym 'HB-VU' stand for?
7. What does marking a CRIS as 'P' mean?
8. What steps must be completed before a CRIS can be marked for closure with respect of the vcop protocols being adhered to?
9. Can a CRIS be marked for closure if the officer marking it for closure has not confirmed that the victim has been onformed of the disposal decision of the investigation?

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

These are questions related to the Victim/Onformant/Witness page(s) of a CRIS report.

Q1 - Under what circumstances can an officer complete an entry regarding the 'vcop Actn Compl?' field.

Victim Code of Practice (VCOP) action complete is an administrative action for the Officer in the Case (OIC) to certify that, based on the information available, all Victim Code actions required for that specified Victim are accounted for and recorded prior to closure. This will include providing the victim with regular updates and the outcome decision.

Q2 - When the date and officer's name next to this 'vcop Actn Compl?' field is entered - is this the date the victim was updated of the investigation disposal decision?

The presence of the date and officer’s name next to the VCOP action complete highlight which officer marked this field as complete in the CRIS. This field should only be selected when all VCOP actions have been completed in relation to a particular victim.

Q3 - When the date and officer's name next to this 'vcop Actn Compl?' field is entered - and the CPS / Police decision was to NFA the investigation would this be the update that the 'vcop Actn Compl?' would be informung the victim about?”

Providing an outcome to the victim is one requirement under the Victims’ Code. When all VCOP actions are complete, this is when the ‘VCOP Actn Compl’ field will be selected.

Q4 - What does the acronym 'HK-VU' stand for?

This acronym is used when a crime report has been closed and the suspect is undetected/not known.

Q5 - What does the acronym 'HX-VU' stand for?

This acronym is used when a victim has been provided a regular update.

Q6 - What does the acronym 'HB-VU' stand for?

This acronym is used when the suspect has been bailed to return.

Q7 - What does marking a CRIS as 'P' mean?

‘Pending’ completion. An officer will highlight this option when they feel the case is complete and ready for a supervisor to review the crime report.

Q8 - What steps must be completed before a CRIS can be marked for closure with respect of the vcop protocols being adhered to?

Please see the answer to question 1 above.

Q9 - Can a CRIS be marked for closure if the officer marking it for closure has not confirmed that the victim has been onformed of the disposal decision of the investigation?

No, the officer must indicate via the VCOP Action Complete ratio that all actions are complete. This is a mandatory field. They are unable to proceed for completion of the CRIS until selected.