CDPP Strategic Directions 2008


A. CORPORATE PROFILE

Vision: A fair, safe and just society where the laws of the Commonwealth are respected and maintained and there is public confidence in the justice system.

Purpose: To operate an ethical, high quality and independent prosecution service for Australia in accordance with the Prosecution Policy of the Commonwealth.

Core values: We value:

  • applying the highest ethical standards to prosecutions and proceeds of crime action;
  • applying the highest professional standards of competence, commitment and hard work to prosecutions and proceeds of crime action;
  • maintaining the CDPP’s prosecutorial independence;
  • providing, and being recognised as providing, a high quality, timely, efficient and cost effective prosecution service;
  • treating everyone with courtesy, dignity and respect;
  • giving due recognition to the status of victims;
  • the knowledge, skills and commitment of our people;
  • leadership from senior lawyers and managers;
  • accountability and excellence in governance within the CDPP; and
  • protecting the natural environment.

Outcomes: A contribution to the safety and well-being of the people of Australia by assisting in the protection of the resources of the Commonwealth through the maintenance of law and justice and by combating crime.

Output: An independent service to prosecute alleged offences against the criminal law of the Commonwealth in appropriate matters, in a manner which is fair and just and to ensure that offenders, where appropriate, are deprived of the proceeds and benefits of criminal activity.

B. STRATEGIC THEMES

1 Conduct cases ethically and professionally;

2 Recruit, develop and retain high quality people;

3 Continuously improve CDPP performance;

4 Provide professional assistance to referring agencies; and

5 Actively contribute to law reform and whole of Government law enforcement initiatives.

C.  STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

1 Conduct cases ethically and professionally

1.1 Adopt the highest professional and ethical standards in prosecutions and in dealing with proceeds of crime
1.2 Make all case decisions in accordance with:
- the law;
- the Prosecution Policy of the Commonwealth; and
- CDPP policy
1.3 Ensure compliance with the Director’s Instructions and CDPP policies
1.4 Capture and share important corporate knowledge amongst our people
1.5 Undertake case reviews
1.6 Ensure processes and programs maintain our people’s adherence to ethical standards
1.7 Treat victims with respect and dignity
1.8 Decisions to be made:
- in a timely fashion; and
- by people at the appropriate level
1.9 Use our people’s expertise throughout and between our offices
1.10 Meet challenges arising from changing technology

 

2 Recruit, develop and retain high quality people

2.1 Recruit and retain high quality people
2.2 Implement strategies to build and sustain the CDPP as an employer of choice
2.3 Develop skilled people through:
- training courses;
- on the job experience;
- mentoring;
- the CDPP’s performance management scheme; and
- other innovative ways.
2.4 Foster and acknowledge good quality performance
2.5 Manage people effectively and professionally and have regard to feedback on performance

 

3 Continuously improve CDPP performance

3.1 Monitor CDPP performance against standards and goals to improve quality, efficiency and effectiveness
3.2 Continue to develop national consistency recognising that the CDPP operates in different jurisdictions
3.3 Continuously review and adopt the highest professional and ethical standards in:
- prosecutions;
- proceeds of crime action;
- resource management;
- the use of technology; and
- personnel management including:

1. workforce planning;
2. performance management; and
3. employment practices
3.4 Provide a safe, secure and healthy workplace
3.5 Adhere to and promote:
- Australian Public Service values;
- APS and CDPP Codes of Conduct; and
- diversity principles
3.6 Value our people’s ideas
3.7 Ensure that the CDPP’s library, IT and administrative people and systems continue to provide high level support

 

4 Provide professional assistance to referring agencies

4.1 Provide professional and timely legal advice to investigators and agencies
4.2 Liaise effectively with referring agencies at regional and national level
4.3 Identify and co-operate with referring agencies’ enforcement strategies
4.4 Advise on investigator training needs and assist Commonwealth agencies with training investigators on areas of CDPP legal expertise
4.5 Develop and provide high quality materials on areas of CDPP legal expertise
4.6 Conduct regular referring agency surveys
4.7 Continue to develop nationally consistent approaches to assistance for referring agencies

 

5 Actively contribute to law reform & whole of Govt law enforcement initiatives

5.1 Assist with development of law reform proposals and whole of Government law enforcement initiatives by providing:
- timely, high quality legal and strategic advice; and
- useful, timely and accurate statistical reports
5.2 Encourage prosecutors to identify deficiencies in the application of Commonwealth law
5.3 Review and identify prosecutions and proceeds related issues requiring law reform and/or whole of Government law enforcement initiatives and contribute to solutions and strategies to address them