Background

The police estate is often linked to visibility and accessibility of the local policing service. Proposed changes need to be considered and managed sensitively to maintain public confidence. Statutory responsibilities in relation to public consultation and engagement must be followed, particularly where there will be a change or impact to local service provision.

The Police and Fire Reform Scotland Act (2012) emphasises collaborative working and engagement with communities in developing approach to future service delivery. Police Scotland’s strategic outcome three and our public engagement and participation framework enables the service to keep the public, communities and partners engaged and involved, so they continue to have confidence and trust in the service.

Done well, engagement builds confidence and trust in policing, with police legitimacy linked to ‘policing by consent’ as central in a democratic society. Engagement must also be able to stand up to external scrutiny and can avoid the need for a judicial review in future which may be called to review any issues with the engagement process and subsequent decisions made by the service.

Engagement and participatory approaches enable understanding of public needs, expectations and factors that shape public trust and legitimacy. These approaches bring creative ideas for enhancing services in efficient and effective ways towards meeting genuine needs.

Similarly, the impact on our officers and staff must be recognised and trade unions, statutory staff associations, and impacted staff require to be fully consulted on the impact of any changes to their proposed working location.

Police Scotland has publicly acknowledged the plans to accelerate the disposal properties and this has been reported in the media and included in evidence submissions at the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee, Scottish Police Authority board meetings, and in a partner letter.

Police Scotland’s Research and Insight service, in collaboration with communications and estates colleagues, are taking consideration of the sensitivities internally and externally around each building. We must continue to be open and transparent in our approach - communicating and engaging appropriately with purpose and continually, to manage expectations and respond to concerns which may arise because of this period of service change.

The service has been clear from the start on what we are proposing and why, engaging and involving those impacted, including communities and stakeholders, with the view of maintaining confidence in decision-making.