Chief Constable's Report

CCFarrell provided a detailed summary of her report, specifically drawing attention to the following areas:
• Policing the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act
• Community policing
• Policing Together Programme
• Recruitment and training of probationary officers

In discussion the following matters were raised:
• The Chair thanked Police Scotland for the weekly statistical update on the policing response to hate crime legislation, which allowed the Authority to make an interim assessment on how policing has been undertaken. The Chair confirmed the Authority’s view was it had been a proportionate response. Members commented that the figures provided to the Authority demonstrate transparency and proportionality which should provide public confidence.
• The Chair commended the online training on the new legislation, noting he had taken it and found it useful in helping to understand the complexity and public policy behind it. The Chair encouraged more evaluation from Officers who had undertook it.
• The Chair sought comment on why the guidance for no crime hate incidents was not in place by 1 April 2024. CCFarrell acknowledged the guidance and policy should have been in place ahead of legislation. DCC Alan Speirs (DCCSpeirs) informed Members that Police Scotland had accelerated guidance that deals with no crime hate incidents and that guidance will be embedded within Standard Operating Procedures. DCCSpeirs added that the vast majority of the force have undertaken the training and more work to quantify it would be undertaken. CCFarrell praised the work undertaken to deal with the early surge of reports and commented that recent events and protests had tested Officers in terms of their ability to recognise the legislation and put into practice. CCFarrell assured Members that Officers have the ability to recognise the right to freedom of speech.
• Comment was sought that Police Scotland are doing enough to protect people’s right to speak. DCCSpeirs responded that policing of protests and counter protests is challenging but the only complaint from a recent protest in Edinburgh was around tone and style and not the implications of the new hate crime legislation. Public order advisors will continue to engage with groups prior to any event and work with them to ensure the tone and style of policing is appropriate.
• The Chair and CCFarrell both agreed there would be benefits to the Authority having ongoing insight to the policing of the legislation in order to provide public assurance.
• Members were assured Police Scotland will work with all relevant bodies to ensure a proportionate policing response to the upcoming General Election.
• Members heard there were established mechanisms between football agencies on intelligence and with border controls to protect Scottish football fans travelling to Germany for the European Championships. DCC Jane Connors (DCCConnors) confirmed Police Scotland are linking with local authorities for events taking place in Scotland to ensure a proportionate response.
• CCFarrell summarised the wellbeing support offered to Officers following a traumatic incident. This included the TRiM model and the employee assistance programme which provides psychological support with a preventative focus.
• Members heard Police Scotland were commissioning another staff survey and would be using the outcomes to baseline a position in relation to many issues such as wellbeing, leadership, and support.
• Members sought comment on criminal justice reform to which CCFarrell commented that the primarily motivation for seeking reform was to ensure the criminal justice systems supports victims and is victim focussed. CCFarrell stated that only around 15% of Officers called to court end up providing evidence, and 30% of those called are on either on a rest day or annual leave. CCFarrell highlighted the financial and wellbeing impact of this, as well as the impacts on operational shifts. Members heard discussions were taking place on how to tackle the issue of rest day and annual leave attendance, as well as pilots for new areas of working.
• Members sought further comment on training to which CCFarrell confirmed there is a significant amount on training undertaken in policing and it is routinely evaluated to gain feedback.
• Members were informed there were no recruitment targets for Special Constables, but it was expected that numbers will grow following recent recruitment and information events. DCCSpeirs commented that recruitment has been refreshed and the organisation does see a journey from volunteers to Special Constable and then onto the force. DCCConnors commented that Police Scotland had hosted the International Symposium on Volunteering in Policing where international contingents shared best practice.
• The Chair requested CCFarrell consider reporting on police officer numbers for future years at the next Authority meeting.

The Authority RESOLVED to:
• NOTE the report.