In the event of the victim or the complainer withdrawing his complaint the fiscal invariably, in the public interest, continues with the prosecution. This is a not uncommon occurrence in domestic violence cases. The Police The Police forces in Scotland police an area roughly equivalent to the old regional council boundaries. There is no national police force. The police are generally free from central government interference.
Local politicians do however sit on the various police boards.
The day to day running of the force is the responsibility of the Chief Constable. The police's prime responsibility is the prevention and detection of crime. The procurator fiscal can instruct the police to carry out investigations but in general the investigation of crime is the responsibility of the Chief Constable. When a crime has been reported, the police investigate the matter and then report the case to the Procurator Fiscal. The police do not, in Scotland, decide whether or not to prosecute except in minor matters where they have the discretion to issue a warning.