Summary

The report acknowledges that policing as a whole has faced considerable challenges over the 2022-23 reporting period. The Chief Inspector of Constabulary (CIC) notes that ‘Police Scotland is an outstanding operational organisation able to deal with everything from community issues, through major and complex crimes, to political challenges and major events’ and describes the service as ‘world-leading’.

The CIC notes the statement made by the then Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone that Police Scotland is institutionally discriminatory. Whilst the processes at Police Scotland’s disposal when addressing allegations levelled at an individual are compliant with equality legislation (e.g. tribunals and internal investigation), the report notes that these processes take place behind closed doors and therefore provide limited opportunity for Police Scotland to demonstrate how seriously it takes such allegations.

In addition, whilst Police Scotland has publicly stated its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, the CIC states: ‘Since many of these issues crop up again, I am concerned that the lessons from tribunals and other hearings are not being acted upon’.

The CIC suggests that Police Scotland could be “more proactive” in describing its work on Policing Together, the VAWG Strategy and the Your Voice Matters programme.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is also an area of focus in the report’s introduction, with inspections conducted during the reporting year having highlighted a need for CPD in areas such domestic abuse, hate crime, equality and diversity, and diversion from prosecution.

Forensics toxicology provision and the resultant impact on the analysis of drug driving samples is discussed, noting that this area was not originally within the scope of the planned inspections for the reporting year but was added at the request of the SPA.

The report highlights the workplan and thematic areas that will be reported in coming months, such as organisational culture (which includes vetting), healthcare in custody, and the impact of mental health demand on policing.

Despite the challenges noted by HMICS, the positive work of the SPA and Police Scotland is also recognised. The CIC notes that Police Scotland has “certainly demonstrated” its commitment to improving the wellbeing of people and places.

Further evidence of the value provided to the public includes the assessment that the SPA takes best value “very seriously” through the governance process provided by Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee (ARAC). However, Police Scotland’s commitment to best value was found to have room for improvement.

The report includes a summary of the eight reports of scrutiny activity undertaken by HMICS during 2022-23. This includes joint reviews conducted with other partners such as the joint review of diversion from prosecution and the joint inspections of services for children and young people at risk of harm, and adult support and protection, led by the Care Inspectorate.

The report closes with an assessment of the activities conducted in 2022-23 and the follow-up work undertaken by HMICS. This includes the number of recommendations discharged by HMICS in this year (42 from inspections completed between 2015 and 2021), as well as the further recommendations made for Police Scotland, the SPA and Scottish Government during this year’s inspections (45 in 2022-23).

By the end of March 2023, 84 recommendations were outstanding, the oldest of which was made in 2015. In addition, SPA Forensic Services has one outstanding recommendation from 2017, and Police Scotland has one from 2018. No recommendations that were directed towards the SPA Corporate Function and Board are currently outstanding.