Report Summary
This report provides members of the Policing Performance Committee with an overview of the Criminal Justice Service Division Performance Update.
The purpose of this report is to provide an update of the progress of CJSD re-modelling work; detailing the impacts on performance, people and process across Middle Office and Production functions whilst highlighting opportunities.
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Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Policing Performance Committee - 11 October 2022
Date : 11 October 2022
Location : online
Background
CJSD re-model background and re-structure.
In 2022, recognising an opportunity to improve the leadership structure in our Middle Office and Productions functions, Police Scotland created a new Head of Service - CJSD post, the most senior Police Staff role available in the division, and one which reports directly into the Divisional Commander. The post is designed to augment the work of the existing four Regional Managers in Middle Office and will also oversee two new Regional Managers posts in Productions, all of whom provide support and scrutiny for staff at a regional level.
The creation of this new Head of Service post demonstrated our commitment to reviewing our workforce balance, improving vertical and lateral development opportunities for our staff, whilst freeing up police officers for duties which require their warranted powers. Importantly though, the creation of the post now provides greater stability for the division and our people, embedding a senior police staff member who will now be embedded far longer than what might previously have been considered as the normal tenure of a senior police officer in the post. Jenna Noble joined as Head of Service on 18th July 2022, having been appointed from an external organisation following a very competitive recruitment process.
Whilst often hidden from sight, Police Scotland’s Middle Office and Productions functions plays a critical role in the provision of policing in Scotland. Our Middle Office staff contribute to the efficient running of the Criminal Justice System by ensuring that information including warrants and bail conditions, missing persons’ records etc. are kept up to date. Staff in the Middle Office maintain and quality control information and updates on various police systems ensuring high standards of accuracy and relevance. By ensuring officers have immediate access to accurate information, the work undertaken by our staff in the Middle Office has a key role in keeping our communities safe. In recognition of this, new processes and technology have been introduced to better enable their work and this will continue to develop as more national systems are embedded.
Productions are a slightly more visible and critical function as there is more engagement with the public. ‘Productions’ are defined as “an article, document, or anything (including animals), which is connected with a crime or offence, or other matter under review”. Our Productions staff have a primary responsibility to lodge, store and track the movement of productions until items are no longer required to be retained where they will follow a disposal process. Items are stored across Scotland in 56 stores, varying in size and location. Productions staff have a vital role to play in the end to end process of criminal justice. They work closely with partners in COPFS, Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service and Forensic Services to minimise risks and look for improvements whilst supporting policing and police investigations. Productions also are responsible for lost and found property across Scotland.
