Professional Boundaries

As previously reported, Police Scotland recognise the imperative upon its workforce to act with integrity and professionalism at all times, given its privileged position and the vital importance of upholding public trust and confidence, and have reinforced that any inference that Standards of Professional Behaviour are not being met will be thoroughly investigated.

In 2021-22, following a number of high-profile matters, including the tragic murder of Sarah Everard by Wayne Couzens, a serving officer from the Metropolitan Police Service, there has been a push for UK police forces to look at their internal approach to professional boundaries. In October 2021, Police Scotland commissioned a review of all complaints and conduct matters which had been reported to or within the organisation since January 2017 and which contained sexual circumstances. This aligns with an approach in England and Wales where, in December 2021, police forces were asked to conduct an urgent review of the handling of police-perpetrated violence against women and girls. In May 2022, the Committee considered a resulting report outlining findings and proposed next steps. Whilst the review found no significant issues in terms of how these matters were investigated, opportunities were identified to enhance organisational learning and raise awareness of the Standards of Professional Behaviour (as set out in the Police Service of Scotland (Conduct) Regulations 2014 and which reflect the expectations of officers, whether on or off duty). A number of recommendations were identified, including enhancement of vetting arrangements, and a range of actions and preventative activity to be progressed over the next twelve months. Police Scotland have since provided biannual update to the Committee on progress in this regard. During resulting discussions, Members have sought to understand how organisational learning is obtained in respect of the experience of individuals who raise concerns (whether internal to the workforce or members of the public); any reflections on planned action in light of the statement made by the former Chief Constable in 2023 in respect of institutional discrimination in policing; and how Police Scotland will evaluate the impact of action taken as a result of the review. Most recently, following a report in June 2024, the Committee emphasised the importance, from a public confidence perspective, of providing a fuller picture, outlining what has been discharged and what has been mainstreamed into business as usual activity.

In March 2023, the Committee heard that Police Scotland intended to refresh the above review, to cover the period from October 2021, and to extend its terms of reference to include all domestic abuse related matters (covering a 3-year period). In respect of the latter, Police Scotland presented a public report to the Committee in June 2024, outlining resulting recommendations identified. Members have requested that a more detailed report on findings is presented to the Committee in private. As with the earlier review, it is expected that Police Scotland will set out planned actions in response to the recommendations, and provide biannual reporting on progress to the Committee. It is anticipated that a report in respect of the ongoing refreshed review of matters containing sexual circumstances will be presented to the Committee during 2024-25.

Additional to the above, in February 2024 the Committee received a report on referrals within Police Scotland during the first 3 quarters of 2023-24 which contained a sexual circumstance (covering concerns raised by members of the public, as well as internally). Members were encouraged by this public report, particularly in terms of the level of detail provided in demonstrating greater transparency, and requested that Police Scotland introduce annual reporting in this regard. Members requested that this includes further breakdown of cases (although recognising that this may require an element of additional reporting in private). Members also heard from Police Scotland that the report demonstrated the impact of earlier improvement activity seeking to raise confidence amongst the workforce in terms of raising concerns, the Chief Constable having previously commented on the importance of self-policing by colleagues speaking out about unacceptable behaviour as a frontline defence mechanism.