Supporting officers and staff

Recruitment
It is important that people know that despite the financial pressures on Police Scotland, that we are recruiting, particularly for police officers in rural areas and for Contact, Command and Control (C3) Division staff such as service advisers.
In December, I thanked more than 190 officers as they completed their initial training and prepared to deploy to communities across Scotland, with the next intake due to be welcomed at headquarters next month.
I believe passionately in the value that policing brings to our communities: keeping people safe from harm, protecting the vulnerable, bringing criminals to justice, solving problems and reducing offending. We stand up for and with our communities, which strengthens them, improves their wellbeing and allows them to prosper.
Policing is a fantastic vocation where you can make a real, positive, difference for people and communities and I would urge anyone interested in joining to visit our website to find out more.

New occupational health services and Employee Assistance Programme
Our people are the greatest asset we have and they must feel supported and included and I have set officer and staff wellbeing as a priority. Selecting and nurturing people well and giving them clear direction as well as the skills and modern equipment to do their jobs are essential elements of that support.
It's also important that we have resources and support available when officers and staff need help and we have a range of mechanisms to support our people across their psychological, physical, financial and social wellbeing.
We have a network of wellbeing champions, post-trauma risk assessment, and we are a key partner within Lifelines Scotland, a wellbeing resource tailored to our blue light emergency responders.
I am also really pleased that we have agreed new occupational health services and an enhanced Employee Assistance Programme, which enhances and improves our provision, both beginning in April.
Moving forward we must do more to protect and prevent the psychological wellbeing of our officers and staff. This new provision will include new trauma impact prevention techniques as well as dealing with trauma that has occurred.
Employee feedback has been vital in agreeing the new support which have an enhanced focus on mental health. For example, our neurodiverse colleagues can expect professional assessments to help ensure we best support them in delivering their duties; and, a new approach to mental health interventions will help ensure the least intensive clinical treatment is provided.
I am determined to continue to drive improvements to support our people and provide them with the tools they need to do their job.

National Association of Muslim Police Annual General Meeting
Last month I met with attendees at the National Association of Muslim Police's Annual General Meeting at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan on Friday, 12 January, 2024. This is the first time the NAMP has held their AGM in Scotland.
Staff associations and unions are a vital part of our policing family and I thanked the national association and the Scottish Police Muslim Association for their commitment, leadership and work to support policing and challenge senior officers so that, together, we improve our service for the public and for officers and staff.

Officers and staff recognised in New Year Honours
I want to thank and recognise the serving and former Police Scotland officers and staff who were recognised in the King’s New Year Honours.
Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain, Chief Superintendent Carol McGuire (retired) and Constable Stephanie Rose all received the King’s Police Medal (KPM).
Detective Constable Jodie McFarlane received the British Empire Medal for services to children and families in Ayrshire for her work with the charity Night Before Christmas Campaign, while retired Child Protection Manager, James Duffy, was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to children.
Investigation and Information Manager, Stuart Cossar, was honoured with the award of an MBE for services to the investigation and to the bereaved families of the Lockerbie Air Disaster.
These awards are testament to the dedication to public service and professionalism our officers show right across the country, day in, day out.