SPA Board Member, Tom Halpin, spoke at an event today (26 April) to launch a series of five academic reports, jointly commissioned by Police Scotland, the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR), and the Authority.

The work, undertaken by academics and other partners from the public sector as well as non-governmental organisations across Scotland after being commissioned in June 2021, seeks to support engagement between policing and historically under-represented groups.

Tom Halpin said:

"It is critical for delivery of policing in Scotland that we understand barriers to engagement and work to build relationships with those communities which could be considered ‘seldom heard’. The authority’s own independent public polling on confidence in policing tells us that factors such as age, geographical location and the level of deprivation in a community can affect confidence in policing, all factors which can contribute to being ‘seldom heard’.

“The Authority is committed to policing in the public interest, to do that we must understand public views, opinions and concerns. The research published today will allow us to gain more insight into where to target our activity and attention to ensure we build the strongest relationships we can with all communities in Scotland.”

Seldom Heard Communities Research

Article initially published 26 April 2023