Our people

YOUR LEADERSHIP MATTERS (YLM)

As previously reported to the Authority, the Your Leadership Matters Core Programme (YLM) is being delivered to officers and staff to enhance leadership behaviors across Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Forensics.

In September, Phase 2 of YLM will commence delivery to Sergeants, Inspectors and Staff Grades 4-7, a group of circa 4000 colleagues with line management responsibilities.

YLM is delivered through a blend of summits on the Microsoft Teams virtual platform, combined with internal guest speakers and elements of digital learning, including a learning journal. It will equip our leaders with the capability and skills needed to lead successfully in a modern and complex policing organisation. The YLM First Level Leader programme will include face to face sessions for delegates within divisions.

Your Leadership Matters will provide our leaders with the skills, tools and confidence necessary to lead teams to deliver values based policing. A full update on YLM will be provided to SPA People Committee on 29 August.

ULTRA LOW EMISSION VEHICLE (ULEV) BLUE LIGHT FLEET

Police Scotland remain committed to becoming the UK’s first fully Ultra Low Emission blue light fleet by 2030 and we are well on our way to achieving this with 981 ULEVs in active service.

We are installing EV charging infrastructure at all of our sites and this transformation of fleet will allow us to meet the requirements of a 21st century policing service and will bring significant savings and increased sustainability.

ROMANIAN POLICE OFFICER SECONDMENT

In July 2023, Police Scotland entered into an agreement with the Home Office, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and Romanian Government to secure funding for two Romanian Police Officers to be seconded to the National Human Trafficking Unit (NHTU) for a period of six months, beginning on 1 February 2024.

The secondment aims to identify and provide information to Romanian nationals at risk of trafficking and exploitation and will build on established relationships fostered through Joint Investigation Teams (JIT) with Romanian Law Enforcement authorities.

ESTATES TRANSFORMATION

Police Scotland remains committed to ensuring police officers and staff are equipped with fit for purpose facilities.

Ayr Police Station

The new Ayr Police Station was officially opened on Friday 14 July at South Ayrshire’s Council’s Newton House, Ayr.

This facility is our operational template for future estate transformation projects across Scotland, consisting of functional operational workspaces as well as a range of specialist crime, welfare and wellbeing facilities to better support our officers and staff in their often-challenging roles.

Armed Policing – Training Facility

The Estates Transformation Team, in partnership with Armed Police Training, have completed development and fit-out of a new training facility at Coatbridge.

This will enable enhanced provision of armed police training previously only available from our partner forces in England and Wales or through buildings made available to us on a short term basis.

This state of the art venue provides modern training and welfare facilities, in addition to a dedicated and bespoke search training arena. This facility is a major enhancement to Police Scotland’s training estate.

Mounted Policing – Training Facility Refurbishment

In July, Sir Iain Livingstone QPM opened the Mounted Unit's refurbished and upgraded indoor arena at Stewarton, Ayrshire.

This was a particularly poignant event as the upgraded arena was named after a much loved and remembered colleague, Mr Greig Steven, who tragically died in service in 2015, aged 25. Sir Iain was honoured to welcome Greig’s parents to the opening.

LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT AWARDS

Since the last Authority Meeting there have been two Long Service and Good Conduct awards ceremonies at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan.

Sir Iain attended both celebrations on 13 July and August 8 and took the opportunity to personally thank the 73 recipients and their families for the significant contribution they continue to make to public service.

PASS OUT PARADE

On Friday 18 August, I thanked and congratulated 191 probationary officers who had successfully completed their initial training course at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan. The officers have now been deployed to communities across Scotland. I wish every one of these recruits success as they embark on their fulfilling and rewarding careers in public service.

SENIOR LEADERSHIP

Sir Iain Livingstone QPM retired from policing on 10 August, having served as a police officer for 31 years, including six as Scotland’s Chief Constable, as interim Chief from 2017 before being formally appointed in 2018.

Civic society paid tribute to Sir Iain and thanked him for his outstanding leadership and commitment to public service. On behalf of Police Scotland, I thanked Sir Iain for leading the organisation through a period of change and challenge with integrity, determination and distinction.

As confirmed by the Authority, Durham Constabulary Chief Constable Jo Farrell will take up the position of Chief Constable of Police Scotland from 9 October. As Deputy Chief Constable Designate I will carry out the functions of Chief Constable in the interim. My focus will be on ensuring effective policing is maintained for the communities of Scotland and I will support an effective handover to Chief Constable Farrell.

ACC Alan Speirs has been appointed Temporary DCC for Professionalism, Strategy and Engagement and Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Houston has taken on the role of Temporary ACC for Professionalism and Assurance.

Mark Williams, ACC for Operational Support, leaves Police Scotland on a temporary basis in September to take up a secondment at the UK National Police Co-ordination Centre (NPoCC).

ACC Gary Ritchie has moved from Partnerships, Prevention and Community Wellbeing (PPCW) to the Operational Support portfolio and, Chief Superintendent Faroque Hussain has become Temporary ACC for PPCW.