Voluntary interview

[Lina]

Hi

I was called in for a voluntary interview in January and haven’t heard anything. How long are people waiting? And how do you hear, is it by letter or a phone call?

The wait is driving me mad as I can’t focus on anything and am finding it difficult to focus on anything else.

Thanks

[Peter1975]

I'm afraid that the average time to wait for a charging decision is around 6-9 months, although some cases have been dealt with much sooner, some have taken over 4 years to get to court.

Try to keep healthy, busy and distracted while you wait.

There is no official procedure for a NFA after a voluntary interview, but if you have been in contact with your sol rather than the police then I would expect you would hear from them.

It's a good idea to get something in writing.

Hang in there

[Lina]

That’s crazy that they keep you waiting for so long. Is there anything you can do to speed it up. It’s very difficult to focus on other things.

[Peter1975]

The simplest thing to do is speak to the officer in the case (OIC) and ask how things are progressing and explain that you are having trouble with this hanging over you, many officers are sympathetic...or ask your sol for an update.

Prepare to be patient, although you could also hear*some good news soon.

There isn't really a way of speeding things up, public services are stretched everywhere so make allowances and be polite if you talk to the OIC!

A significant minority of police, it has to be said, are*unapproachable and bad at their jobs, in which case, you can go over their heads and/ or make complaints, first through their superior officer and then via the professional standards department and the "independent" police complaints authority ( I forget what they call themselves these days ) - Don't go down this route unless you have a proper grievance!

Case specific legal advice from a good Sol is ALWAYS advised here.

[Lina]

Hi, this waiting game is so frustrating. Can anyone advise as to how to speed the police up. I have been waiting since January and every time I call them all they say is that they are still making enquires 

[Pond31]

Hi, this waiting game is so frustrating. Can anyone advise as to how to speed the police up. I have been waiting since January and every time I call them all they say is that they are still making enquires 

Hi Lina

there is nothing you can do to speed things up. You will just have to wait and see. All you can hope is that you have a professional OIC, who does not mind you contacting them say once a month. Phoning them every week will just annoy them. Be polite and friendly when speaking to them. Of course if you have HARD evidence the FA is lying, you can go over it with your solicitor and supply it to the OIC if they think it will speed things up.

Pond31

[Peter1975]

Hi Lina

there is nothing you can do to speed things up. You will just have to wait and see. All you can hope is that you have a professional OIC, who does not mind you contacting them say once a month. Phoning them every week will just annoy them. Be polite and friendly when speaking to them. Of course if you have HARD evidence the FA is lying, you can go over it with your solicitor and supply it to the OIC if they think it will speed things up.

Pond31

This is a great post, I couldn’t have said it better myself, thanks pond.

Many have been left on limbo waiting for a decision much longer

try to concentrate on keeping yourself busy and sane, a watched kettle never boils.

[Lina]

Hi all. Going out of my mind now as it’s 2 years in January since my voluntary interview and OIC keeps saying still under investigation, is this normal?
After 5 months of the voluntary interview, the CPS requested some details about my Facebook account which I provided straightaway and then nothing. I thought the CPS had a strict timeline of when they are supposed to deal with cases.
if anyone knows the process please can you let me know as this is dragging me down.
Thanks

[Peter1975]

Hi Lina, I'm sorry to hear that you are still waiting.

Two years is an appalling amount of time but sadly, while it's at the upper end of the scale, it's not that unusual. I'm afraid that all you can realistically do is wait and periodically remind the OIC that you are still there.

Hang in there. Keep cool.

[Lina]

Thanks Peter, it’s really hard to stay positive. I have tried to block it out of my mind but it just doesn’t go away, Just wish the police would deal with it and I can have closure of this, it’s really unfair of them to keep people waiting this long .