CHIEF CONSTABLE’S REPORT

CCFarrell provided a detailed summary of her report, specifically drawing attention to the following areas:
• Funding for 2024-25 onwards
• Criminal justice reform
• Mental health demand
• Technology to support frontline policing
• Homicides, major investigations, and convictions
• Drug enforcement
• Drink and drug driving enforcement

In addition to the written report, CCFarrell provided comment on a number of other areas:
• DCC Jane Connors (DCCConnors) will lead the programme of change, focused on delivering service transformation, prioritising the frontline, removing back-office duplication, and creating capacity. Some local policing support areas, and other functions, have never been reformed so there is inefficiency, duplication, and repetition that can be removed. The change programme will inform how the workforce will be shaped, trained, enabled, equipped, and deployed to best meet the needs and complexities of diverse communities. Which roles can and should be done by police staff will be examined, enabling a wider range of people access to a policing career and allowing more officers to return to operational roles. Cyber skills and resilience will be embedded into the organisation, providing training to enhance the investigation of online crime, while complementing existing skillsets. Police Scotland seek the support and engagement of the Authority in building a national conversation focused on how the strongest possible service for the public is achieved.
• The delay in recruiting officers to balance the year’s budget has meant headcount will be at its lowest level. More clarity on the funding allocation has allowed officer recruitment to restart, with 200 new officers due to begin initial training in March, with more new recruits being trained monthly during 2024/25. Targeted recruitment in rural areas is taking place and whilst staff recruitment remains paused, recruitment in priority areas such as C3 continues.
• Police Scotland are committed to returning officers to operational policing through redesign or resetting relationships. The organisation has roughly 150 officers assigned to duties at court buildings, at a cost of around £7m a year. From March, a trial in Edinburgh begins to release a small number of those officers back to frontline policing.
• Performance reporting will be enhanced by using data effectively and being clear on KPIs. This will allow positive monitoring and reporting to support decision making around where resource is focussed. The completed roll-out of the national crime system allows for automated productions of performance dash boards, which will be a feature of internal and external discussions.
In discussion the following matters were raised:
• The Chair noted that the new model of policing was the second phase of policing reform and the Authority accept the proposal that it will take 3-5 years. DCCConnors echoed CCFarrells comments that reform has not previously focussed on local policing or support functions which has resulted in efficiencies and duplication. Members heard the change programme will involve a review and redesign to look at services within local policing, to return officers to the frontline. The review will focus on creating capacity in several key areas such as mental health, missing people, and criminal justice reform work, whilst maximising the opportunities from new technologies. DCCConnors acknowledged it would be challenging and required to be done at a controlled pace. Members were also assured key partners would be consulted throughout.
• Regarding the pilot for the proportionate response to crime in the northeast, the Chair requested an update on when an evaluation would be reported to the Authority. CCFarrell responded that the pilot is part of the contact, engagement, and resolution project and seeks to look at alternative approaches to how crime is investigated and managed, with focus on victim experience plus efficiencies. CCFarrell emphasised it was not a policy of non-investigation. DCC Malcolm Graham (DCCGraham) added that every crime report will be assessed, and expectations would be managed if there were no lines of enquiry. An evaluation will be brought to an Authority Committee at a future date, which will detail any learning that can inform future changes. Early indications show that less than 5% of reported crime will result in being filed with no lines of enquiry, and perceptions and experiences of those involved have been positive. The Chair commented that the Authority were keen to hear detail on data, external assurances on decision making, and victim response.
• Members praised the new layout and format of the report, noting the overview provides an understanding of the backdrop to policing and what is on the horizon. Members appreciated the inclusion of neighbourhood policing examples, and extended congratulations in achieving the core operations solutions project.
• Members sought comment on the assurance and learning taken from the historic data wash. CCFarrell explained it was an integrity screening project undertaken UK wide to ensure that there was no information on the Police National Database relating to employees offending or suspected offending that was unknown to their force. DCC Alan Speirs (DCCSpeirs) confirmed there were nine matters that required attention with nearly all due to notifiable associations (family or friend conflicts). Members heard there are policies and procedures in place to safeguard employees and make the force aware of any conflicts, and these would be highlighted throughout the organisation. Members were informed the data wash complements Police Scotland’s work on vetting and work continues to look at professional practice, adopting a UK policy and following UK standard. DCCSpeirs stated the outcome of the data wash was positive for Police Scotland. CCFarrell informed Members that 100% assurance could not be given that there is one individual who would challenge the force’s integrity, but Members could be assured that the correct processes are in place to drive positive culture.
• Members sought further information on the progress of the current VR-VER scheme. Katy Miller (KMiller) confirmed the organisation was seeking to reduce headcount by 189-220, however, actual reduction depended on profile and associated costs. 756 notes of interest from eligible staff had been received. KMiller described the ways management would assess suitability which included analysing: current vacancies, design principles of role profiles, spans of control, and operational layers. KMiller also advised of other areas required to be considered, such as: ability to reduce demand, policy decisions which tie into the policing model, risk impacts and equality impacts. Members were assured there was a comprehensive framework and time was being taken to analyse and undertake assessments. Robust governance was in place including a People Committee deep dive and reporting to the Resources Committee. Members heard the organisation was still working to a deadline of 1 April 2024 to confirm releases.
• Members sought Police Scotland’s view on the role of Special Constable’s, in the context of the new model of policing. CCFarrell confirmed the force was committed to their volunteers, and whilst numbers have reduced, work continues to drive recruitment and training. Improvements are being made in making volunteer work more accessible to encourage people from rural and urban areas to join. Consideration was also being given to expanding into specialist areas, but recruitment would need to be tailored to attract those skills. Members welcomed this approach.
• Caroline Stewart (CStewart) provided an overview of the Cyber Programme Reference Group which she co-chairs with DCCConnors. Members heard that discussion at the last meeting focussed on the threats and policing response to cyber fraud, Police Scotland’s roll out of digital forensic triage vans, the introduction of digital evidence detection dogs, and the work ongoing to obtain ISO17025 accreditation. CStewart congratulated Police Scotland on winning financial fraud team of the year at the recent Scottish Cyber Awards and sought comment on the nature of cybercrime currently being reported. DCCConnors responded the force was seeing an increase in reports of online fraud affecting a broad range of ages. Romance fraud was one area and DCCConnors encouraged those affected to report it.
• Members questioned how Police Scotland would give courage to frontline Sergeants and Inspectors to step away from mental health incidents, and how that additional capacity would be used. CCFarrell confirmed that Police Scotland will never walk away from vulnerable people, but they are having to step into areas where other services should be. Members heard courage would be given by providing officers with the right level of professional advice and improved risk assessments to enable them to make decisions that will stand up to external scrutiny. Members were informed the capacity created would move into the preventative space and allow the impact on officer wellbeing to be managed better.

The Authority RESOLVED to:
• NOTE the report.