NATURE AND SCOPE OF WORK

Responsible for carrying out various well-defined duties related to court system operations and evidentiary requirements to expedite the transmittal of prosecution reports to Crown Counsels and the efficient processing of persons through the criminal justice system.

Provides direction to investigating members to secure, for court purposes, all necessary details, evidence and statements to prove charges; ensures that all information processed for court files is accurate and complete in order that cases will not be dismissed for technical error or lack of evidence; exercises judgment in approving reports to Crown Counsel; and liaises with Federal and Provincial Crown Counsels, other federal, provincial and municipal agencies and officials and detachment staff to facilitate the criminal case management process.  Exercises considerable independence of judgment and action within departmental regulations, policies, procedures, and within applicable laws and legal practices.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Reports to the RCMP Municipal Support Manager

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervises all Court Unit positions, and other staff as assigned

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reads and assesses reports to Crown Counsel for clarity, completeness, and evidentiary

compliance; returns deficient reports to the investigator for clarification and/or further information or documentation; delivers reports and related documentation to Crown Counsel.

• May be required to attend court as a witness.
• Review all information before swearing to ensure it is relevant to the reports to Crown Counsel and swear pieces of information before the Justice of the Peace.
• Relays requests from Crown for further information to investigator and ensures prompt responses are forwarded to appropriate Crown files.
• Provides direction to members in the proper usage and completion of forms for case

documentation; apprises members of pertinent case law and policy directives as required; observes members testifying in court and reports their performance to the appropriate Supervisor.

• Provides or arranges training on Court related matters.
• Monitors all RCMP Court-related files to conclusion, ensuring all court documents are received, necessary follow-up completed, dispositions recorded on fingerprints and forwarded to Ottawa.
• Conducts appointed quality assurance audits to determine court files are properly maintained and documented as per policies and advises the Unit Commander of deficiencies or breaches of policy.
• Receives and serves summonses/subpoenas. Receives warrants, confirms accuracy, and ensures proper follow-up upon execution.
• Ensures fingerprinting of persons charged with criminal offences and court attendance of arrested persons complies with policy and procedures; arranges with Sheriff’s Department for prisoner escorts.
• Monitors court schedules to ensure members’ availability on scheduled court dates; ensures members receive notification of court attendance; ensures members returning from new postings are aware that trials are going ahead and that their attendance is required; resolves court scheduling conflicts.
• Informs Crown Counsels of investigations where charges have been or will be laid; obtains and records reasons from Crown Counsel for dismissal of charges and, when warranted, advises the need to open discussions on appeals; processes and transports payments for outstanding fines and/or bail.
• Processes and approves information relating to criminal checks.
• Enters or directs the computerized recording of data on computer systems pertaining to court and/or exhibit files.
• Makes recommendations to authorities regarding parole and community sentence offenders.
• Uses judgment in determining whether other parties within the office should be involved in the process.
• Coordinates, prioritizes, schedules and assigns work for designated staff; guides and advises employees of the relevant policies and procedures and provides for and arranges ongoing training; provides feedback on employee performance.
• May serve on various employee committees.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Contributes to a positive work environment by modelling a respectful workplace, as per City policy.
• Complies with the organizational safety program and ensures that all WorkSafe and other legislative safety requirements are met. Reviews all accidents and incidents and recommends changes necessary to ensure a safe environment for all staff and participants. Provides safety orientations to new employees, delivers safety crew talks and tailgate meetings for fieldwork as required.