11 -
of an investigation which establishes a prima facie case
will normally be a prosecution of the officer involved
so that the matter can be examined judically. That is
right but it heightens the concern of Police who day by
day have to confront criminals on the ground and fear that
they may become the victim of malicious accusations.
Despite
the care which is taken both in investigation and by the
Attorney General's officers who have to decide whether
to prosecute, your Government considers that the concern
expressed on behalf of the Police calls in the broad public
interest for the provision of financial assistance for
legal representation in court so as to meet the sense of
grievance which is undoubtedly felt.
19. The in-depth study is continuing, and should be
completed by January at the latest.
Meanwhile the Force
is functioning with marked success, and the downward trends
in crime I reported last year and which are such an improvemen
over the situation of four or five years ago, have been
maintained.
Violent crime has decreased by a further 3%
this year and there has been a further decrease in the number
of young offenders. I am sure that here the extraordinary
success of the Junior Police Call with its quarter of a millio
members, and the massive efforts being made to improve
recreational facilities for all young people have played an
important part. So too has the cooperation of the public
through the Mutual Aid Committees and the much greater
awareness that exists of what citizens can do to help
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