A dossier has revealed that the police routinely and deliberately conceal vital evidence in order to frustrate defendants’ cases.
The Times published the story after it received the dossier, which discloses tactics and deep seated cultural practices encouraging police to hide and withhold vital information which could undermine the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) cases. The revelation comes just as CPS Chief Alison Saunders gets ready to step down amid concerns over her leadership of the CPS.
The information was initially obtained through a Freedom Of Information Request, by a charity called the Centre for Criminal Appeals. The charity has now made all the documents publicly available on their website.
The dossier includes detailed information about how the police tamper with evidence, including information on one police force which offered training on how to avoid making material that might undermine their cases, accessible. The dossier is made up of several documents, including reports from 14 focus groups involving police, prosecutors and judges. There is also a survey of prosecutors.
The Times reports that the comments in the documents include one prosecutor who says:
“In even quite serious cases, officers have admitted to deliberately withholding sensitive material from us and they frequently approach us only a week before trial. Officers are reluctant to investigate a defence or take statements that might assist the defence or undermine our case.”
The dossier makes it clear that disclosure is not seen as a fundamental aspect of the court process, but a voluntary exercise based solely on discretion.
These kinds of tactics, though, are not limited to the police. Concealing evidence has taken on a life of its own inside the family justice system, where everything from lying to tampering with evidence is seen as fair game. Unethical and illegal actions are now so routine, that professionals from every government body engage in some form of policy or law breaking on a day to day basis. Whether it’s social workers hiding, destroying or fabricating evidence, individuals pretending to be qualified expert witnesses or lawyers using the back door to sway cases, this kind of ‘bad behaviour’ has become endemic.
Having reached crisis point, we now have to ask deeper questions about our justice systems, beyond a debate about resources and funding.
You can follow the Centre For Criminal Appeals on Twitter.
Many thanks to Maggie Tuttle for sharing this story with us.
Researching Reform 
“training on how to avoid making material that might undermine their case, accessible”
Well well well,
this is going on in the Family courts and within LA’s. other Depts are also denying FOiRs by using Sec 30 and 33 as the get out with ridiculous excuses as to why they should withhold the data.
the LGO and the DFE are condoning this behavior by not checking that these clauses are being correctly used.
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“These kinds of tactics, though, are not limited to the police. Concealing evidence has taken on a life of its own inside the family justice system, where everything from lying to tampering with evidence is seen as fair game. Unethical and illegal actions are now so routine, that professionals from every government body engage in some form of policy or law breaking on a day to day basis. Whether it’s social workers hiding, destroying or fabricating evidence, individuals pretending to be qualified expert witnesses or lawyers using the back door to sway cases, this kind of ‘bad behaviour’ has become endemic.
Having reached crisis point, we now have to ask deeper questions about our justice systems, beyond a debate about resources and funding.”
The quote above is a very powerful statement. did this come from a prosecutor or the Centre for Criminal Appeals ?
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That’s not a quote, Dr M, this is Researching Reform’s comment. Quotes by third parties are always placed in quotation marks.
As a project that receives emails on a daily basis from people inside the family justice system, Researching Reform feels it can say that the bad behaviour inside the system is as regular as we suggest.
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No i was meaning the Quote i included of what id read above. but thanks for that.
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Hi, can’t see a quote.
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i was quoting what id read above. but wasnt shure who’d stated it.
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Omg!
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Some dirty business afoot in the ‘nick’ and other places of bureaucratic authoritarianism.
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Pingback: Police Are Hiding Vital Evidence To Win Cases, But They’re Not The Only Ones. « Musings of a Penpusher
Reblogged this on World4Justice : NOW! Lobby Forum..
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“Law is nothing without equity, and equity is everything, even without Law. Those who perceive what is just and what is unjust only through the eyes of the law, never see it as well as those who behold it with the eyes of equity. Law may be looked upon, in some manner, as an assistance for those who have a weak perception of right and wrong, in the same way that optical glasses, are useful for those who are shortsighted, or those whose visual organs are deficient. Equity, in its true and genuine meaning, is the soul and spirit of the law; positive law is construed, and rational law is made by it.” John Bouvier. John Bouvier
John Bouvier, American jurist and legal lexicographer, was born in Codognan, France. In 1802, his family, who were part of the Quakers, emigrated to America and settled in Philadelphia. . In 1808, he began a printing business, and in 1810, he wed Elizabeth Widdifield, and he had one daughter with, Hannah Mary Bouvier. Bouvier became a citizen of the United States in 1812, and thereafter had varied experiences as proprietor of a book shop and as a country editor before he was admitted to the bar in 1818, under the tutelage of Andrew Stuart.
“For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.” (Moroni 7:13)
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http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/147377957200100402 The Nemo Judex in Sua Causa Maxim in International Judicial Practice “Nemo judex in causa sua no one should be made a judge in his own cause or the rule against bias. Whereas in Audi alteram partem hear the other party or the rule of fair hearing or the rule that no one should be condemned unheard.” Pinochet and others case law. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199899/ldjudgmt/jd990115/pino01.htm Is this a possible remedy? When one considers multi agency partnerships , and vested interests and bias?
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Interesting article re Judges being protected by police from protester’s . They wonder why ? http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/crime/police-protect-judges-at-home-from-intimidating-protesters/ “Minister of Justice and Courts Andrew Little called the protests “very disturbing” and said there was no excuse for people taking their case to the front door of a judge.” This is global as are Core assets , there is a price on the heads of Our Heirs . When we fight this ‘system’ we are targets MAPPA , its a filthy trade , do they really believe they can get away with it? If we do not stand for our Sons and Daughters we stand for nothing at all.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJjWyAZbUj0&feature=player_embedded “This is the training video for az dependency court judges… it tells to combine hearings and backpeddle on the paperwork….cook the books..take kid at first hearing or no funds ….and we are bad parents …all of us …bad to the bone ….” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TcDTJlPWbE Nancy Schaefer exposes the EVIL CPS – exposing a ‘protection racket’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5fqaaBpTLY
Nancy Schaefer: CPS criminality R. I. P good lady. Many believe she and her husband were murdered .
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i remember the story of Nancy Schaefer and how she was exposing the CPS for child snatching. the evidence has Murder written all over it.
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.”the lack of formal educational attainments for entry (to the police) is striking, and could well deter intellectually able people with the right qualities. For too long, policing has been unfairly regarded by many as an occupation with most in common with blue-collar work. The roots of policing are firmly in that context and the attitudes of some police officers remain fastened in that mindset of the past. It holds them back and reinforces the lower social and professional standing that too many people wrongly associate with police officers.” https://thelawwestofealingbroadway.blogspot.co.uk/
February 4, 2014: Cumbria’s Local Safeguarding Children Board decides there are no grounds for a serious case review. Poppi Worthington Case -Cumbria
then this
Published on Jun 17, 2015
Officers and the PCC congratulate DCC Skeer on her award and their experiences of working with her. Please read the full press release here: http://www.cumbria.police.uk/news/lat…
2016 Blundered Child case “catalogue of blunders by police, social workers and medical staff ” Skeer was involved as Assistant chief – three-year cover-up in which the authorities tried to suppress any public knowledge of what happened to Poppi.
Details of her death in December 2012 were revealed for first time yesterday with the publication of findings by High Court family judge Mr Justice Peter Jackson. 21 January 2016
https://www.theguardian.com/…/police-officer-rebuked-for-po…
Calls mount for public inquiry as Michelle Skeer earmarked to become Cumbria chief constable- Skeer was one of the Cumbria police officers criticised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) over the force’s “unstructured and disorganised” investigation into the death of the 13-month-old in December 2012.
Let’s not forget Liane Smith case also Cumbria (two smothered babies)
Perhaps police careers are more important than safeguarding anyone, even minors ?
What the HELL is going on ? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-43203317 Michelle Skeer appointed Cumbria Police Chief Constable
27 February 2018
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what more can I say http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/Top-level-tributes-to-Cumbrias-police-chiefs-after-honours-ed286aed-2da4-4c4e-8439-3e70e3c52625-ds Top-level tributes to Cumbria’s police chiefs after honoursChief Constable Jerry Graham and Deputy Chief Constable Michelle Skeer were awarded the Queen’s Police Medal.
This honour recognises acts of courage or conspicious devotion to duty.
Their service was praised by both the police minister, Nick Hurd, and Cumbria’s crime commissioner, Peter McCall, following the announcement.
Chief constable and deputy recognised in New Year ” Top honour , do they purchase these awards? x3 dead babies x2 minors raped in care, that i know of first hand .
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Those two red links at the top of the page now state the page is no longer available.
are there any other papers who covered this story ?
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Found this one.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5572445/Police-trained-hide-evidence-dont-want-defence-see.html
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https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/…/common_law_and_constables_…
Dear Lancashire Constabulary,
As the United Kingdom of great Britain is a common law jurisdiction, is it true that constables swear an oath to uphold the law, therein meaning the ‘common law’ of the land of great Britain, as opposed to corporate rules or statutes?
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https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/common_law_and_constables_oath#incoming-1144688
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1: How many Lancashire Police Officers in the last 5 years have been convicted of a criminal offence yet remain employed as serving officers?
2: What are their criminal convictions?
3: Why do they remain in the force?
“In the past 5 years there has been two police officers convicted of a criminal offence whilst in service that remain as serving officers. We can also confirm that the officers remained employed by the force due to accepting full responsibility, showing remorse for their actions and the incidents being isolated
or out of character, in addition to other factors.”
You refused to provide me with details of the offences they were found guilty of but I feel it is of public interest that the details should be released. By refusing to release the details makes me very suspicious as similar details have previously been released by yourselves. Could it be that the offences would cause an uproar by us, the people who pay your wages, should details be revealed?
Please provide me with full details of their convictions along with copies of charge sheets etc. (You can blank out their names etc)
If you refuse I shall contact the ICO and my MP.
On 16th Jan I requested an internal review which you have chosen to ignore and thrrefore are breaking the law.
May I suggest you reply with immediate effect?
What part of ‘internal review request’ don’t you understand?
Why is it that LanCon consistently break the law by ignoring freedom of information review requests?
Could it be because they consider themselves to be above the law?
It appears so.
Thank you.
So, in conclusion, we have a Lancashire Police Officer convicted of violence towards a person and he/she remains a serving Police Officer!
This individual obviously has serious anger issues and may go on to re offend.
This is hardly ‘protecting’ the public! https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/police_lawbreakers#incoming-1124503
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYqxCn_iico&feature=youtu.be This video exposes how the ‘judiciary’ of the UNITED STATES and STATES OF X have suspended initial discovery in the “in rem” actions concerning the conveyance of children under Title IV federal statutes. This proves a contrived effort to amend the “Federal Civil Judicial Procedures and Rules” in a conspiracy against Substantial Rights to aid in their trafficking of children under Title IV federal statutes without due process of law, not in compliance with the well established Maxims concerning in discovery and evidence, and not in compliance with the federal statutes pertaining to Title IV itself. The proof is there for all to see. Children are trafficked as THINGS designated as 0/5ths of a “person/PERSON” without the STATE OF X every having to proved its claim by the evidence that is required by due process of law, thus creating NON-SUITS founded merely upon EXPARTE EVIDENCE, extrinsic in nature, that would not be sustained upon appeal to a true Court of Law. Such acts by the BAR Union are merely an exercise of the REPUGNANT and UNLAWFUL exercise of the Doctrine of Discovery.
Citations in the video:
“Federal Civil Judicial Procedure And Rule” from 1993 to current – Rule 26 (a)(1)(B)(ii)
“A Student Guide to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure”, WEST, 2009 – Chapter 1 Section p (1.9) Jurisdiction over Persons or Things – Requirements for in Rem Jurisdiction
As cited in the above Student Guide – Struck v Cook County Public Guardian, 508 F.3d. 858, 859 (7th Circuit 2007), cert. denied, 128 S. Ct. 2091, 170 L. Ed. 2d 825 (U.S. 2008). This is International Lex Mercatoria and its how they are trading us in commerse and destroying us . Applies in UK too.
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https://scholarship.law.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1054&context=cilj Discovery in Great Britain: The Evidence
(Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions) Act
its time to end all this fraud and perverting true Justice . I suggest that people educate themselves , with the greatest respect , if we are to have a future and keep our families safe form Criminals with all the power in my opinion
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You say
“I suggest that people educate themselves”
Yes that is good advise but unfortunately there are plenty of educated people such as John Hemming, Lucy Allen and many others who have been speaking out against the injustice of the SS and Family courts but here we are in 2018 and the Corruption still goes on and children are still being stolen. theres an old saying in this life “Action speaks louder than words” and that is true but anyone who try’s it will instantly be targeted by the power of the system and its Police.
So whats the Solution ? maybe its a case that no solution could tackle this Multi Million pound corrupt industry and all its supporters.
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https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1975/34 https://www.jstor.org/stable/760322?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents so, we are ‘things’ traded commercially in Rem ,therefore , they have no reason to prove with evidence their false and fraudulent claims . Foreign jurisdiction . No Jurisprudence and repugnant to our constitutions . http://www.loble.co.uk/legal-materials/obtaining-evidence-.html repugnant is what it is and criminal. John Hemming , quite correctly stated that the corruption and fraud goes all the way to the Hague and that I am wasting my time. However I am not renouned for being a quitter – PURSUANT TO THE HAGUE CONVENTION ON THE TAKING OF EVIDENCE ABROAD IN CIVIL OR COMMERCIAL MATTERS
The Evidence (Proceedings in other Jurisdictions) Act 1975 was passed partly to give effect to the Hague Convention. The Act goes further than necessary for the purposes of the Convention and should be read in conjunction with Part 34 of the English Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) to ascertain the boundaries within which evidence can be obtained pursuant to the Convention, or for foreign proceedings generally, and the procedure for obtaining such evidence. The procedure under The Hague Convention is the same for any country which is a party to it and indeed for any country which requests judicial assistance from the English Court.
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http://laws.bahamas.gov.bs/cms/images/LEGISLATION/PRINCIPAL/2000/2000-0014/EvidenceProceedingsinOtherJurisdictionsAct_1.pdf CHAPTER 66. EVIDENCE (PROCEEDINGS IN OTHER. JURISDICTIONS). Act to make new provision for enabling the Supreme. Court to assist in obtaining evidence required for the purposes of civil proceedings in other jurisdictions; to extend the Powers of the Court to issue process for securing the attendance… Global commerce Lex Mercatoria
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https://www.jerseylaw.je/laws/revised/Pages/04.360.aspx WHEREAS HER MAJESTY, in pursuance of the Regency Acts 1937 to 1953, was pleased, by Letters Patent dated the 3rd day of November 1983, to delegate to the six Counsellors of State therein named or any two or more of them full power and authority during the period of Her Majesty’s absence from the United Kingdom to summon and hold on Her Majesty’s behalf Her Privy Council and to signify thereat Her Majesty’s approval for anything for which Her Majesty’s approval in Council is required:
Now, therefore, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, being authorised thereto by the said Letters Patent, and in pursuance of section 10(3) of the Evidence (Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions) Act 1975 and section 8(8) of the Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980 by and with the advice of Her Majesty’s Privy Council, do on Her Majesty’s behalf order, and it is hereby ordered, as follows: –
1. This Order may be cited as the Evidence (Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions) (Jersey) Order 1983 and shall come into operation on 18th December 1983.
2. In this Order, “Jersey” means the Bailiwick of Jersey and the territorial waters adjacent thereto.
3.-(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, sections 1, 2, 3, 5, 9 and 10 of the Evidence (Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions) Act 1975 shall extend to Jersey with the exceptions, adaptations and modifications specified in the Schedule to this Order.
(2) Sections 1, 2 and 3 shall not extend to Jersey except for the purposes of section 5 (and accordingly shall have effect in Jersey only for the purposes of criminal proceedings).
4. The Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980 (Jersey) Order 1983 shall be amended by the substitution, for paragraph 5(2) of the Schedule, of the following provision: –
“(2) In section 4, after the words “Evidence (Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions) Act 1975” there shall be inserted the words “or under Article 3 of the Service of Process and Taking of Evidence (Jersey) Law, 1960”.
N.E. LEIGH,
Clerk of the Privy Council.
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Yvonne you must really enjoy writing, ive never seen anyone post so much information on a blog.
i assume a lot of it is Copy & Paste info.
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http://www.civillitigationbrief.com/2018/02/18/interpleader-proceedings-filling-the-gap-in-the-rules/ “Statute does not oust equitable remedy – Where courts of Chancery have existed separate and distinct from courts of law, the existence of an interpleader statute governing the proceeding in courts of law has been held not to oust or take away the concurrent jurisdiction of the court of Chancery. A court of equity if first resorted to would not refuse to entertain a bill of interpleader, although a court of law might have been resorted to on the facts stated. … Where courts of law and equity are fused, and equitable principles are followed in the consolidated court, the rule is clear that interpleader statutes are not at all to limit or affect the equitable jurisdiction of the court to entertain an interpleader suit or action. Such statutes merely furnish another special, cumulative and concurrent remedy, summary in its operation, and they do not alter the settled doctrines concerning interpleader. The statutory remedy is a mere substitution for the equitable remedy, in the kinds of actions to which it applies.”
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