Implementing the Joint Strategy

This Strategic Police Plan sets the high-level direction and scope for policing in Scotland. It will guide how resources are allocated to meet the requirements of the public and communities for safety and protection.

Police Scotland’s Strategic Planning Framework (below) sets out how the service aligns its strategies and strategic plans with the Joint Strategy for Policing and the Scottish Government’s Strategic Police Priorities, National Outcomes and Vision for Justice.

Enabling strategies

Underpinning this joint strategy are a range of enabling strategies focused on specific areas of business and operational areas. These set out in greater depth the ambition and approach to improving our service delivery and support services, and are kept under review.

The Annual Police Plan

Police Scotland’s Annual Police Plan is required by statute. It is laid before parliament in March of each year.
The Annual Police Plan aligns with the strategic outcomes and objectives of the Strategic Police Plan. It sets out the detail of how Police Scotland will operate and contribute to the outcomes described in the Strategic Police Plan.

Delivery of the Annual Police Plan and corresponding activity is overseen by Police Scotland’s Senior Leadership Team. Performance is reported publicly to the Scottish Police Authority on a quarterly basis, structured around the five outcomes set out in this Strategic Police Plan.

Local Police Plans

In addition to the Annual Police Plan, Police Scotland produces Local Police Plans, aligned to the Strategic Police Plan. The content and character of Local Police Plans is determined by Local Area and Divisional Commanders in negotiation with local authorities, who are each responsible for approving their respective Local Police Plan. These plans take account of local circumstances and community planning arrangements, with Local Outcome Improvement Plans taken into account in the development process, as well as the public feedback provided through Your Police and User Experience surveys and ongoing engagement activity.

These local scrutiny arrangements both strengthen and complement the national oversight of Police Scotland by the Scottish Police Authority.

Delivering Change

Police Scotland has an established Change Function responsible for managing the delivery of transformative programmes and projects. This includes programme and project management, controlling interdependencies and risks, monitoring benefits realisation, and working with colleagues across the service to manage the impact of change.

Delivery of policing strategy is reviewed regularly. The demonstration of progress and impact is embedded in both financial and productivity reporting, as well as the overall performance framework, which is reported to the Scottish Police Authority and the Chief Constable as part of the formal reporting cycle.

The impact of transformation on people and services is monitored by Police Scotland through progress reporting and review at a Change Board and at Senior Leadership Board meetings. Scrutiny, oversight, challenge and support are provided by the Scottish Police Authority through the governance structure at both Board and Committee meetings and by a range of other mechanisms, such as dedicated oversight and working groups involving Board members and supporting staff.

In addition to formal processes, a culture of change is promoted across Police Scotland. There is a desire to see a drive for continuous improvement at the heart of every operational team and business area, empowering all of our people to be innovative and improvement-focused in their day-to-day practice.