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The Role of The Crown Prosecution Service

The Crown Prosecution Service is the government department responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in England and Wales.

As the principal prosecuting authority in England and Wales, we are responsible for:

  • advising the police on cases for possible prosecution
  • reviewing cases submitted by the police
  • determining any charges in more serious or complex cases
  • preparing cases for court
  • presenting cases at court

Find out more about the role of the Crown Prosecution Service

Home » News Centre » Press Releases » CPS continues to boost staff diversity

CPS continues to boost staff diversity

07/04/2006

The Crown Prosecution Service continues to increase the numbers of senior female employees and Black and Minority Ethnic legal trainees, according to the CPS Annual Equalities in Employment Report 2004-2005. The report was produced by the CPS HR Information and Employee Well-being Team.

Angela O'Connor, Director of Human Resources said: "The CPS aims to be representative of the diversity of the public it serves and we continue to make good progress. However, the HR team will be working with the Equality and Diversity Unit to tackle under-representation, especially to widen the workforce in senior positions, and monitor our recruitment and retention policies"

The number of female CPS employees at Senior Civil Service level increased from 27.3 per cent in 2004 to 33.3 per cent in 2005, while there was an increase in the proportion of female Chief Crown Prosecutors from 22 per cent in 2004 to 24.5 per cent in 2005 (there are currently 13 out of 49). Representation of women in the CPS in general stood at 66.8 per cent in April 2005.

There have also been increases in the number of Black and Minority Ethnic legal trainees and those employed at some lawyer grades. The number of Black and Minority Ethnic legal trainees continued to rise from 40.5 per cent in 2004 to 46.4 per cent in April 2005. Representation at trainee lawyer level is key to ensuring a balanced workforce of lawyers for the future.

In April 2005 Black and Minority Ethnic employees made up 14.8 per cent of all CPS employees, exceeding the civil service average. The number of Black and Minority Ethnic crown prosecutors at C1 level (lawyer entrant grade) increased from 30 per cent to 32.9 per cent and at C2 level from 10.9 per cent to 13 per cent.

There was a slight increase of 0.1 per cent overall in the number of staff with a disability, who make up 4.5 per cent of CPS staff. However, the proportion of disabled staff in the CPS is still higher than the Civil Service benchmark, which is 3.5 per cent.

The report highlights where the CPS has made progress in increasing the diversity of staff and sets out areas where improvements are necessary to achieve equality targets. It provides detailed analysis of the CPS workforce by demographic group and covers areas such as applications for posts, appointments, promotions, performance appraisal ratings and training.

  1. For further information contact CPS Press Office on 020 7710 6088.
  2. The CPS Annual Equalities in Employment Report 2004-2005 is available on this website in the Publications/Reports section.