Scrutiny Panels

Independent scrutiny panels are administered by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) to enable the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to hold Dorset Police to account in the below areas. The panels have an independent chair and are made up of members of the public together with representatives from the Force and OPCC.

FORMS OF SCRUTINY

Link to our Independent Scrutiny Panels are provided in the links below.

Independent Custody Visiting Panel

Independent Audit Committee

USE OF POLICE POWERS AND STANDARDS SCRUTINY PANEL

Panel minutes 1 December 2022

Panel minutes 8 September 2022

Panel minutes 8 June 2022

Panel minutes 3 March 2022

Out of Court Disposals Scrutiny Panel

An Out of Court Disposal (OoCD) is a way of dealing with less serious offending.

Our use of Out of Court Disposals is victim focused - taking into account the full circumstances of the offence, offender and views of the victim.

An offender has to admit they are guilty of an offence to be issued with an Out of Court Disposal and be eligible in terms of previous recorded offending.

Out of Court Disposals allow the police to deal effectively and proportionately with low-level, often first-time offending without a prosecution at court, by providing the victim with a reparative solution (such as offering an apology, payment of compensation and/or repairing any damage caused) and addressing the offender's behaviour through a solution that is both punitive - for example by issuing a police caution - and rehabilitative - through an appropriate course to treat the offender's behaviour.

The Out of Court Disposals Scrutiny Panel was set up to ensure that the use of Out of Court Disposals (OoCDs) is appropriate, proportionate, consistent with national and local policy, and considers the victims’ wishes where appropriate. Members of the panel include an independent chair, representatives from the Criminal Justice and Youth Justice services. Meetings are also attended by representatives from the Force and the OPCC. At each meeting the panel consider a random selection of OoCD cases based on a theme which has been decided upon at the previous meeting.

Terms of Reference for Out of Court Disposals Scrutiny Panel