Further Detail

Ownership:

The Head of Recruitment and Selection is responsible for the Policy and Procedure which governs substantive promotion and those being moved to a higher rank on a temporary basis, namely Acting or Temporary Ranks.

A new Police Scotland Acting Rank Policy and EQHRIA has been developed and is in the final stages of consultation, before being adopted. Both documents generally follow the rules, procedure and governance of the previous Temporary Promotions Policy and EQHRIA. A Force memorandum has been circulated to advise Police Scotland of this change.

The primary principle of substantive promotion, or those electing to move to a higher rank temporarily is that it is accessible to all officers, subject to My Career evidence and Line Management support.

Authorisation:

Acting Ranks up to Inspector will be advertised within local business areas to ensure ALL local officers have the opportunity to access this development opportunity. On occasion, local Command Teams may open their opportunities up to other areas to allow for cross skilling and enhanced development.

Chief Superintendents have the authorisation to approve an acting rank up to the rank of Inspector.
Acting Ranks from Chief Inspector or above are ALL advertised nationally and open to any officer from any business area, who meets the essential criteria for the role advertised.
Assistant Chief Constables – Approve Chief Inspectors
Deputy Chief Constables – Approve Superintendents
The Chief Constable - Approves Chief Superintendents.

Transparency:

Once an officer has been selected through a local assessment, a business case is required to be completed to record the following:
The position was advertised and open to all who meet the essential criteria of the role.
There was a transparent selection process, which has been recorded.
Evidence recorded why the selected officer was chosen, ahead of other applicants.
The position has the correct authorisation.

Governance:

All business cases are submitted to the Recruitment and Selection Support and Service Delivery team, at which time:

Each business case will be reviewed to ensure due process has been correct and aligns to the policy.
At 5 months the business case will be sent to the vacancy owner seeking rationale for reverting or retaining officer beyond 6 months.
At 11 months the business case will be sent to the vacancy owner seeking rationale for reverting or retaining officer beyond 12 months. Retention beyond 12 months requires Assistant Chief Constable Approval for all ranks.
At 16 months the business case will be sent to the vacancy owner to ensure the officer is reverted prior to 18 months.

All business cases will be retained and available for review as per the document retention policy guidance.