Questions/Answers

The innovative app called "Inform the Prosecution" aims to allow community to report any criminal act without the need to show up at the public prosecutor's office. The initiative was first introduced in 2016 via the public prosecutor's website in the form of a service to lodge complaints which consisted in entering the details of the incident and the parties, if any, and sending the same by email for consideration and handling by the prosecutor. The service has undergone several changes, the last of which was the creation of a free app for Android and iPhone smartphones. Any person in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi may report, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, any punishable act duly supported by evidence and attach any sustaining files such as images or video clips. The application is available in Arabic, English and Urdu languages to ensure access to all in Abu Dhabi. The application is allowing everyone to file a complaint without restrictions and without distinction of race or sex. Free and accessible to everyone, notably those living in remote areas, this app also offers the possibility to send updates on the complaint.

The "Inform the Prosecution" app is closely linked to Delivering inclusive and equitable services to leave no one behind, because it is an innovative practice in the UAE and the region and ensures access to all in society. It has qualitatively and quantitatively improved the service of filing complaints as shown in the accompanying statistics and reports. It is free, saves the cost of transport to the parties and ensures speed of service. The initiative also enhanced the efficiency of partnership with stakeholders, particularly police stations, by highly improving the file opening services and the follow up of the same.

This initiative is instrumental in achieving the targets of the sixteenth goal of sustainable development "Peace, justice and strong institutions" by strengthening the rule of law, ensuring access to justice for all, reducing all forms of violence, ill-treatment and criminal acts through easy reporting, sharing the details of the facts and abuses, following up such reports and informing the concerned parties of the measures taken. This initiative also increases transparency in the work of the Public Prosecution, allows follow up and accountability through the features of the application and ability to send and receive notifications and updates for each complaint.

By its nature, the application allows individuals and institutions in Abu Dhabi to benefit from the service and benefits particularly to those who find it difficult to complain via the traditional way and personal presence at the prosecution offices, mainly the elderly and the disabled, as well as those who live in remote areas or those who are impeded by the nature of their work, or women who may find it socially embarrassing to be at the Prosecution because of the conservative environment in which they were raised or, sometimes, the negative look of society. It also helps improving the management of complaint filing service in general in several aspects such as: • Shortening the processing time due to the easiness of handling complaints electronically and sharing the same among employees to take action. • Improving the quality of decisions taken thanks to the possibility of attaching multiple sustaining electronic files to the application. • Increasing the efficiency of communication with the applicant by informing him/her of the decisions and procedures related to his/her application directly via the application. • Increasing the number of requests received on specific topics due to the flexibility and privacy offered by the app.

This initiative comes in the context of innovation in the development of services offered to the public and in ensuring access to public prosecution services to all. Considering the fact that the Public Prosecution in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is, under Law No. 23 of 2006, the only authority competent to initiate criminal proceedings and all other functions stipulated in the laws or required by its administrative function, the ‘’Inform the Prosecution’’ app is an innovation and an unprecedented service compared to the Federal Public Prosecution and other prosecutions in the UAE.

This app is an original innovation according to a survey by the Public Prosecution. The study included a comparison of the methods of filing complaints in several countries and showed that no similar service was available in the systems reviewed which makes the app a first of its kind. Additionally, the Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution attended several conferences and forums to introduce the initiative and the possibilities it offers, such as the Gitex International, and concluded after discussions with visitors and specialists and through the review of the contributions of participating parties, that the app was unique and unprecedented.

The Public Prosecution made a great effort to introduce the service when it was first launched through a detailed media plan that included many activities such as advertisements in commercial centres and public places, video clips and advertising in various media. The Public Prosecution also received delegations from various institutions and prosecution offices to review the "Inform the Prosecution" app, and discussed about in a series of forums. According to our knowledge, this innovation inspired both the Dubai Prosecution and the Federal Public Prosecution to launch a similar e-service following information visits.

This initiative has been innovative in terms of design. It has been fully developed internally whether in respect of human resources or financial costs. There has been cooperation among the Public Prosecution, IT Division, and Corporate Communication Sector. The Prosecution team has presented the idea in the form of an initiative, and the IT Division team documented the technical requirements and proposed a mechanism for implementation. After obtaining the required approvals, the initiative has been developed and tested according to the prescribed action plan. Then, the communication sector set up and implemented a media plan to introduce the new service to the public.

This initiative is sustainable from several aspects. In terms of social sustainability, the initiative directly helps achieve social justice and maintenance of rights for the present and future generations, as well as it seeks to achieve social stability and safety of community. In the economic field, this innovation will increase the confidence of companies and businesses in the economy of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, being supported by a judicial system and a transparent and distinctive public prosecution system. In terms of environmental sustainability, this service will save large quantities of paper compared to the traditional applications, as they will be replaced by electronic communications only. Needless to say, there will be reduction of carbon emissions since people do not need to approach the premises of the prosecution in person. On the other hand, the new service is sustainable, as it will be accessible by the public at all times, hence delays and crowdedness they used to encounter before will be eliminated. Additionally, the initiative will lessen the risks of loss of any transactions as they are electronically stored and backed up in accordance with best international practices.

Yes

ADJD initiatives are evaluated at several stages. Firstly, before the phase of implementation for the purpose of study and approval, then during the implementation phase to ensure progression of work according to the set action plan, timeframe, and percentage of completion. Lastly, at the phase of completion for the purpose of testing, delivery and comparing output with the approved plan. In coordination with the Public Prosecution, specific measures, indicators, and statistical reports are adopted to indicate the initiative’s impact, output, and contribution to work development, and then incorporated in the Prosecution annual work plan, according to the nature and classification of the initiative.

• Rate of customers satisfaction with the “Inform the Prosecution” application: The satisfaction of customers who used the application is measured through an electronic questionnaire and accordingly, the percentage of public satisfaction is extracted. • Number of communications received through the application: communications submitted electronically to the Public Prosecution are periodically counted. • Average period of time required for handling of communications received: the period of time is calculated effective from the date of receipt of communication through the application until such communication is considered and acted upon, such as referral to the prosecution for action.

• Rate of customers satisfaction with the “Inform the Prosecution” application (99%). • Number of communications received through the application (Quarter three 2018). Received: 1380 Accepted: 733 Archived: 28 Under Processing: 619 • Average period of time required for handling of communications received. Before “Inform the Prosecution”: (123 minutes) After “Inform the Prosecution”: (15 minutes only)

The initiative has been characterized by active participation of stakeholders both internally and externally throughout the different stages of implementation. • ADJD higher management: study and approve the proposal, with the directives to allocate the necessary resources for implementation. • Public: Get feedback from the public and use their comments as an input to the development process. • General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police: Communicate and coordinate with the police stations to receive the requests sent by the Public Prosecution for initiating reports. • Prosecution staff: brainstorming sessions to develop the conventional service of obtaining permission to initiate reports. • IT Division: analyze requirements, determine required technical specifications, and agree on the proposed solution and then implementation with the provision of support and maintenance. • Strategic Planning and Organizational Development Division: Evaluation and collaboration in the development of the performance indicators related to the Initiative. • Corporate Communication and International Cooperation Sector: Develop and implement an information media plan to introduce the new service and encourage the public to use it.

The initiative underwent several improvements. After the launch of the service on the website, many improvements were made by adding fields and options. Another major innovative development was achieved by launching the smartphone application which underwent also a number of improvements, such as the possibility to attach various types of files, the notification of actions taken on the complaint filed and other developments. By analyzing the indicators and measures adopted and the feedback from the stakeholders, the work team seeks to complete the ongoing development work that will improve the quality of the services provided by the Public Prosecution.