Report Summary
This is the approved Minute from the Policing Performance Committee held on 15 June 2023. The Minute was approved at the meeting on 12 September 2023.
Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Policing Performance Committee - 12 September 2023
Date : 12 September 2023
Location : online
Item 2.2
HMICS/INSPECTORATE OF PROSECUTION IN SCOTLAND/CARE INSPECTORATE AND HM INSPECTORATE OF PRISONS FOR SCOTLAND JOINT REVIEW OF DIVERSION FROM PROSECUTION (2/23)
Members noted the paper, with Craig Naylor, HM Inspector of Constabulary, Scotland, providing an overview with supporting comments from Ray Jones. The following points were highlighted and discussed:
• Members welcomed the report, the work undertaken by the 4 inspectorates and the insights shared by Craig Naylor.
• Members acknowledged the importance of partnership working, communications and robust data sharing.
• Members asked how successful diversion of prosecution had been for eligible individuals. Members were advised that this is still not happening to its full potential and there is a lot of activity to be undertaken to enhance training and confidence so that colleagues can progress these individuals through the process. Craig Naylor also noted the dependencies on other agencies to contribute in this area.
• Members recognised the need for this to be quantified and requested that further research be undertaken in this area.
• Members asked whether there would be scope to look at introducing the inclusion of diversion from prosecution at a later stage of an individual’s criminal justice journey and whilst this was not the objective of the review, Craig Naylor advise that this was a relevant point to raise and could be included in the next steps.
• Members recognised the importance of the infrastructure, awareness and support that is required to ensure the success of the implementation of diversion against prosecution. ACC Middleton provided members with detail on the work underway, including detail around the core operating system, challenges with support from Criminal Justice social work and efforts by Police Scotland to communicate direct measures available to officers such as FPNs.
• Members look forward to seeing the partnership improvement activity underway in response to this review and stressed the need for continued partnership working to deliver on the 34 recommendations.
Members noted the report and agreed the following action:
PPC 20230615-004 - Members requested that further research be undertaken to establish how opportunities to implement diversion against prosecution can be utilised to its full potential.
