Police prosecutor
In certain jurisdictions, police prosecutors are employed by the police, as counsel for the prosecution, to present cases in court.
By jurisdiction
Australia
In Australia,[1] all States and Territories (other than the Australian Capital Territory) employ Police Prosecutors to work in their summary courts. These police prosecutors are almost exclusively sworn police officers who are trained to act as advocates in summary criminal prosecutions. In Western Australia the police prosecutors work in concert with that state's Director of Public Prosecutions. Some police prosecutors hold legal qualifications; however, this is not a requirement to perform the role.
New Zealand
In the judicial system of New Zealand, a police prosecutor is a lawyer employed by the police to present cases in district court, as the counsel for the prosecution. This may be a sworn member of the police (normally a sergeant) or, in larger courts, a civilian lawyer employed as a non-sworn member of the police. In smaller courts, the police prosecutors will normally consist entirely of sworn officers, while in larger courts a combination of sworn and non-sworn prosecutors will be employed.[2]
Other jurisdictions
Other jurisdictions may use the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions or a similar body to provide prosecution counsel for a case from the very outset.