Community Resolution
Community Resolution
Community Resolution (the name we're using across Sussex for restorative justice) is about offenders making amends directly to the people they have harmed, rather than being punished by the state.
The aim is to focus on victims' needs and to find positive solutions to crimes and incidents by encouraging offenders to face up to their actions and the impact they have had on others.
Restorative schemes have already been taking place in parts of Sussex. The results show that victims who took part in this approach felt it was a positive experience - and that offenders were less likely to re-offend after taking part in the process.
All officers in Sussex Police are trained to use Community Resolution.
When is Community Resolution used?
It is most commonly used to deal with relatively minor offences when the victim has indicated that they would prefer the matter to be dealt with in this way. Of course, some offenders rightly deserve the full weight of the criminal justice system and all the available options must be considered to deal with them robustly when appropriate.
However, in many cases, the victim does not want to attend court and asks for a speedy solution or remedy. An apology from the perpetrator and an opportunity to ask questions about why the incident happened can help satisfy victims and gain a positive outcome.
Community Resolution is not a soft option - offenders usually find it very difficult to take responsibility and face up to the harm caused by their crimes.
There are several outcomes that can be agreed as part of the Community Resolution process.
Apology:
This can be written or verbal. The apology can take many
forms and can be managed by a third party if the victim does not
want to have personal contact with the offender.
Reparation:
Repairing the harm caused. Examples could include:
- Washing a window where eggs have been thrown
- Replanting flowers in a flower bed
- Removing graffiti
- Compensation for damage caused
- Replacing stolen goods
Interaction
The offender and victim may meet in an arranged situation
to discuss the crime - the victim may ask why the crime was
committed; explain the impact and effect it has had; and ask for
the offender's agreement to stop the behaviour.
The benefits of Community Resolution
Sussex Police supports Community Resolution because it:
- gives victims a greater voice in the criminal justice system
- provides victims with the opportunity to get an explanation from offenders
- makes offenders take responsibility for their actions
- shows local communities that offenders are making amends for their offences
An example of Community Resolution in action
Two officers were out on patrol and came across a security guard chasing a group of teenagers from a shop. The teenagers were detained in the street and admitted to stealing items from a number of stores that day.
They were not arrested but checks were done, parents were contacted and all offenders were taken back to each shop, where they returned the goods and made verbal apologies to shop staff. Additionally, they completed written apologies, which they hand delivered to each shop the following weekend. Each young person involved then spent a Saturday morning in each of the shops helping out with odd jobs to assist the staff.
The officers used their professional judgement to select the most appropriate and proportionate outcome.
If you still have questions about Community Resolution, click here for FAQs