External Engagment

In December 2023, the decision was made to merge the portfolios of PT and Partnerships, Preventions and Community Wellbeing (PPCW). The new combined portfolio provides the ideal combination that links the internally focused activities of PT with the external service delivery activities of PPCW. This merger also provided the incentive to review the original PT vision to reflect PT’s impact on external service delivery and community confidence.

A paper was provided to the SPA PT Oversight Group in June 2024 detailing work in this area. Internal and external consultation is required on the refreshed vision and pillars and this work remains on-going.

The PT Equality and Diversity Unit are responsible for external service delivery aspects of PT. The team pro-activity engages with national equality partners and community groups to understand community confidence, concerns, tensions and identify areas requiring action. Priority areas at present include work with African and Black communities and LGBTQI+ communities.

Policing Together staff alongside others are actively engaged in building stronger community ties and promoting collaborative policing within African and Black communities across Scotland. Through specific engagement initiatives, Dr Olisa is working towards building trust, understanding and cooperation between Police Scotland and communities.

The first African and Black Engagement Plan SLWG was held on 29 May 2024. The Plan is in its infancy and feedback is currently being gathered. The 2022 Census data has recently been published and is in the process of being analysed. Once the report is available it will be used to support and drive divisional engagement with African and Black communities and provide opportunities to identify community connections, gaps and to focus activity. In addition, the outcomes of the Operation Tarn public Inquiry will inform the African and Black Engagement Plan. The Census data will support understanding of our communities which is an important element as Police Scotland seeks to be representative of the communities it serves.

The LGBTQI+ Portfolio team have regular meetings with the LGBTQI+ Police Association to jointly work on projects, better understand stakeholder/partner engagement needs and reasons for lack of engagement. Engagement with partners enables us to better understand the needs of the community and focus our activities on key areas such as, breaking down barriers to reporting hate crime and building trust and confidence in policing.

A Citizens' Panel is currently being implemented for the service, which is the first time deliberative participation approaches have been utilised to inform policing. Shared Future CIC have been commissioned by the Research and Insight Team within Strategy, Insight and Engagement (SIE) to lead the process. SIE are working closely with Policing Together resources to ensure the process is meaningful. The recruitment of LGBTQI+ citizens will begin soon, with deliberations taking place from November to the end of February. An Oversight Group to advise and provide support and expertise, has been put in place. Members include a range of public, private and third sector partners; this includes SPA representation. The first meeting of this group is on 5 August.

Police Scotland have access to a cadre of Community Advisors with specialist, experience, knowledge and background in disability, race & religion and LGBTQI+. They can be deployed as or when required to support and advice Police Scotland operationally or otherwise.

Strategy and Innovation department are seconding a staff member to Policing Together to assist in developing and coordinating work around the Community Engagement approach. Kevin Ditcham, Insight and Engagement Lead, started with the team on 29 July.