Foreword

In April 2020, the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland published our Joint Strategy for Policing, Policing for a Safe, Protected and Resilient Scotland. It sets a clear direction for policing framed around strategic outcomes which describe the impact that we want to make for the public and our people.

This updated strategy recognises what has been achieved and what has changed since 2020.

While recent years have been unprecedented for the scale of challenge faced by policing and society, 10 years after the establishment of Police Scotland and the Authority, we have delivered improved service for all our communities. Critically, we have also seen transformation in access to expert and highly specialist policing services across Scotland. Our single national service in Scotland represents major public sector reform, and has delivered significant value to the public and to the public purse.

Police Scotland played an exceptional role through the COVID-19 pandemic, the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow and the key events following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

Operational competence has greatly benefited from change to date, however we recognise that there is more to do. We must have the right capacity and capability to maintain a sustainable service into the future. A career in policing is varied, challenging and rewarding. We must ensure that our people are provided with the tools, training and support needed to police effectively and compassionately, demonstrating our values of fairness, integrity and respect, and upholding human rights. Where we fall short, we will take responsibility and do better. There is no place in policing for discrimination.

Our strategy has adapted to reflect the progress made by the service and how society continues to evolve around us. It includes how we will respond to the growing challenges of cyber and digital crime, violence against women and girls, and incorporates our commitments to equality, diversity and inclusion addressed by our Policing Together strategy and programme.

The Scottish Government’s Vision for Justice sets out clearly our shared responsibility to ensure that our services are trauma-informed and person-centred.

The impact of vulnerability, mental ill-health and substance misuse on both individuals and wider society on policing continues, exacerbated in part by the challenging economic circumstances we all face. We recognise that ours is very often not the most appropriate service to best support peoples’ needs. We are working with our partners to support positive outcomes for people, and we continue to strengthen our partnerships across the public sector, including with COSLA and local authorities, our blue light partners, health services and Public Health Scotland.

Investment is needed to drive forward the pace and scale of change needed to the technology and systems that support modern and responsive policing. We are making progress towards co-location of services and upgrading our fleet. However it is well recognised that our estate is not fit for purpose and more support is needed to accelerate our ambition and free ourselves from the expense of maintaining ageing building which do not meet the needs of our people or the public.

Our trusted relationship with the public and communities we serve is fundamental to their confidence in us to protect them at their most vulnerable and to keep us all safe from existing and emerging threats and harms. We are committed to listening and responding to all communities across Scotland, including those who do not often engage with policing.

As we move forward, we recognise the strength of our leadership team and our outstanding and dedicated people who share our mission to serve the public and communities of Scotland. Now and in the future.

Martyn Evans Chair, Scottish Police Authority

Sir Iain Livingstone QPM Chief Constable, Police Scotland