POLICE OFFICER RECRUITMENT AND INITIAL TRAINING

Members considered the report which provided an overview of the future plans for police officer recruitment and current developments in the initial training for new police officers. DCCSpeirs highlighted a number of key points as detailed in the paper.

In discussion the following matters were raised:
• Members sought more information on the evaluation of the non-residential course to which DCCSpeirs responded that the cost per head and the product benefits will be analysed. DCCSpeirs commented that the MacLeod remedy meant there was an increased number of retirements, so the non-residential courses will help build officer numbers. DCCSpeirs confirmed it was the intention to hold the programme in areas out with the central belt.
• Members questioned what the selection criteria was for the non-residential training, how it might differ to residential courses and whether it fed into more flexible working opportunities. DCCSpeirs confirmed that it was not mandatory to reside at the Scottish Police College during training, but a large number do stay. DCCSpeirs acknowledged that the non-residential programme for July 2024 was done at pace so the selection criteria was purely based on geographical links to Jackton. In future, applicants will be given a choice of locations. DCCSpeirs confirmed Police Scotland were committed to looking at flexible working opportunities.
• In response to points raised by Members on diversity, DCCSpeirs agreed that the non-residential training will benefit neuro diverse and underrepresented groups.
• Members questioned how delivery risks are being managed and heard standards at the entrance point have not been altered so there was no compromise in quality of applicants or standards of vetting. DCCSpeirs advised there were qualified trainers who are SQA assessed so the training content is considered and measured.
• Members sought comment on public confidence in relation to officer numbers. CCFarrell responded that Police Scotland have advocated for funding for 16,600 officers and the numbers are important for deploying and training officers to undertake duties that only frontline officers can do. Balancing budget against recruitment is a challenge and work continue to ensure operational delivery is efficient. DCCSpeirs explained the impact of having less than funded numbers was daily pressures on the ability of resources. There had to be a focus on overtime which has to be managed.

The Authority RESOLVED to:
• NOTE the report.