Tivoli Warrington on the CPS

One of the tests of a good after dinner speaker is whether they hold the audience’s attention throughout their presentation and the quality and quantity of the discussions that follow.  Tivoli Wallington met this criteria a hundredfold in her talk on the work of the Crown Prosecution Service.  Prior to 1986 the police decided whether to take cases to court. Today the police investigate an alleged offence but it is the C.P.S. who decide whether or not people are taken to court. They must decide if there is sufficient and reliable evidence to be used in court. Working closely with the police Crown Prosecutors are responsible to the independent governmental organisation the C.P.S. They do not ask judges or magistrates to pass a particular type of sentence.  She talked of her time working in Bristol, her work and advice to the Home Office on policy dealing with domestic violence and the treatment and care of victims especially those with disability. Among her current work she advises the police on charging possibilities.

Members were advised of the visit of a Peace Scholar from Bradford University at the next meeting and that in 2007, 16 countries had received Shelter Boxes and in only one month in the year had there been no requests for help as a consequence of national disaster.  The last Shelter Box the Club had bought had gone to Dhaka in Bangladesh.  More are needed at a cost of £490.