Key Takeaways
- The West Midlands Police (WMP) force did not comment on claims about the timing of misconduct allegations
- Community resolutions are informal disposals that do not create a formal criminal record and are used to deal with lower-level crimes
- WMP issued 8,280 community resolutions in 2024, a 163% increase from 2019
- National statistics show a 56% increase in community resolutions over the past five years
- The National Police Chiefs’ Council considers out-of-court resolutions to be a "highly effective" way of delivering justice
Introduction to Community Resolutions
Community resolutions are a type of informal disposal used by police forces to deal with lower-level crimes. They enable officers to make decisions about how to proportionately handle these types of crimes, and interventions agreed upon within them are voluntary and not legally enforceable. According to a police spokesperson, community resolutions do not create a formal criminal record, and as such, the details of individuals issued with a community resolution are not publicly confirmed. This approach is designed to provide a more efficient and effective way of resolving minor offenses, allowing police to focus on more serious crimes.
Use of Community Resolutions by West Midlands Police
The West Midlands Police (WMP) force has seen a significant increase in the use of community resolutions in recent years. In 2024, WMP issued 8,280 community resolutions, accounting for 77% of total out-of-court disposals. This represents a 163% increase from 2019, when community resolutions accounted for only 47% of total out-of-court disposals. National statistics from the Ministry of Justice show a similar trend, with 164,000 community resolutions issued in 2024, accounting for 77% of total out-of-court disposals. This represents a 56% increase over the past five years.
Review and Rescission of Community Resolutions
While community resolutions are designed to be a flexible and effective way of resolving minor offenses, there are instances where decisions may need to be reviewed or rescinded. According to the WMP, it is occasionally necessary to review and rescind community resolutions. However, when asked by the BBC, the force did not provide details on how many complaints they had received regarding community resolutions or how many had been rescinded. The force stated that the relevant datasets were not held in a retrievable way, making it difficult to provide accurate information.
National Perspective on Community Resolutions
The National Police Chiefs’ Council considers out-of-court resolutions, including community resolutions, to be a "highly effective" way of delivering justice. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dr. Alison Heydari stated that the council regularly reviews the use of community resolutions and will be updating its guidance to reflect recent and forthcoming significant reports. This suggests that community resolutions are an important tool for police forces in resolving minor offenses and that their use will continue to be monitored and evaluated.
Performance of West Midlands Police
The West Midlands Police force has faced challenges in recent years, including being placed in special measures by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services in November 2023. The force was cited for four areas of concern, including "failure to carry out effective investigations leading to satisfactory results for victims." However, the force was able to address these concerns and came out of special measures in September. The increased use of community resolutions by WMP may be seen as part of the force’s efforts to improve its performance and deliver more effective justice outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, community resolutions are an important tool for police forces in resolving minor offenses. The West Midlands Police force has seen a significant increase in the use of community resolutions in recent years, and national statistics show a similar trend. While there may be instances where community resolutions need to be reviewed or rescinded, the National Police Chiefs’ Council considers out-of-court resolutions to be a "highly effective" way of delivering justice. As police forces continue to evolve and improve their practices, the use of community resolutions is likely to remain an important part of their approach to resolving minor offenses.