Update

Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill

I highlighted to the Board in May 2024 that the Authority attended the Criminal Justice Committee on Wednesday 22 May 2024 to give evidence on the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) Bill. The Authority was represented by Fiona McQueen, Vice Chair, Katharina Kasper, Chair of our Complaints and Conduct Committee and Robin Johnston, Head of Legal.

Since that evidence session, the Authority has provided further written information to the Committee in relation to two related areas of interest. These cover the Authority’s oversight of Police Scotland’s use on Non-Disclosure Agreements, and information in relation to criminal and misconduct proceedings running in parallel. Both updates have been published on the Authority’s website at the links above.

HMICS Strategic Review of the Scottish Police Authority

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland’s (HMICS) published his Strategic Review of the Scottish Police Authority on 11 June 2024. The purpose of this review was to assess the state, efficiency and effectiveness of the Authority in fulfilling our core role and meeting statutory obligations.

I am delighted that the Review recognised the significant improvement delivered since our last inspection in 2019. The Authority embarked on a significant improvement journey in 2020 to strengthen its role and contribution across the policing system. HMICS has acknowledged and praised the progress that has been made to develop effective governance and scrutiny arrangements for policing.

 I want to pay tribute to the Board for setting the strategic direction that has guided the organisation over the last 4-years. I also want to publicly thank my staff team who have delivered these improvements. The drive to build on this remains our focus. HMICS highlights several areas for further development which will be taken forward through our programme of continuous improvement.

Best Value Review for Policing

Following on from publication of the HMICS Review above, it has been indicated verbally that HMICS in conjunction with Audit Scotland will seek to undertake a Best Value Review for Policing in 2025.

The Best Value Review for Policing will consider Best Value across Police Scotland, Forensic Services and the Authority and I expect to receive further information in due course.

The statutory duty for best value in the Police Service of Scotland is the responsibility of the Chief Constable. The Authority role is to oversee the delivery of best value and the Authority’s Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee has lead responsibility for this. An Internal Audit report on Best Value Readiness was reported to the Committee in May 2024. Police Scotland provided an Update on Best Value to the same meeting.

Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24

I am pleased to confirm that the Scottish Police Authority has submitted its accounts for 2023-24 to our Auditor. This has been submitted by the agreed deadline and marks an important milestone and aims to support laying the accounts in Parliament in the Autumn.

Scottish Government Spend Approval Process

The Scottish Government has put in place a process that requires all new contracts above £1m to be additionally approved by them. The Authority and all other public bodies must submit an Accountable Officer spend control template for any new contract to be approved by Scottish Government.

This process creates is an additional approval steps that is leading to contracts taking longer to be approved. This is having a particular impact on the delivery of the 2024-25 capital programme that Police Scotland have highlighted to me and has been discussed at the June Resources Committee.

The Committee has requested that I write to Scottish Government to outlines the challenges this additional process is creating. I will outline the challenges and need for the swift approval of contract to ensure we are able to spend our approved budget and so that the service can deliver key capital projects that will modernise the estate and improve working conditions for police officers and staff.

Biometrics in Criminal Justice Conference

On the 19 June 2024, the Authority together with the Biometrics Commissioner and Police Scotland hosted a Biometrics conference titled “Biometrics in Criminal Justice: Exploring and Understanding the use of Biometrics in Scotland”.

The conference brought together practitioners, academics, and subject matter experts on biometrics within criminal justice and prompted evidence-based discussion and increased awareness of the Scottish Biometrics landscape. We were delighted to welcome a host of representatives from across policing, academia, and government from across the United Kingdom.

Panels and speaker presentations covered an array of topics, discussing the value of biometrics, taking into account human rights and ethical implications. These inputs considered the success of biometrics and how Scotland’s criminal justice system can take forward learning from the implementation of biometrics in other jurisdictions.

I want to thank the Authority’s corporate team who have worked closely with Police Scotland and the Biometrics Commissioner’s Office to develop and deliver the conference.

Independent Custody Visiting Scotland (ICVS) Conference

ICVS provides independent scrutiny of Police Scotland custody provision across the country. The ICVS Annual Conference was held on the 8 June 2024, during volunteer’s week. The conference was attended by our volunteers, staff and representatives from Police Scotland, the Scottish Prisons Service, the Violence Reduction Unit. Our Vice Chair Fiona McQueen and ICVS Champion Catriona Stweart also attended to represent the board. I am very grateful to all the speakers who gave valuable inputs on the day.

The conference recognised the dedication and commitment from all Independent Custody visitors who volunteer for the scheme. Members of the Authority committed to ensuring visitors’ voices and insights continue to be heard.

The ICVS Annual Report was presented to the Policing Performance Committee on 11 June 2024 and highlighted that during 2023/24, ICVS carried out over 1,000 visits to custody centres and spoke to over 1,500 people in custody. Over this reporting period ICVs have not reported any breaches of human rights or highlighted any instances of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of arrested individuals, as described by United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Who Cares? Scotland Corporate Parenting Awards 2024

As a Corporate Parent, the Authority has specific duties and responsibilities to support those who are care experienced to ensure the rights of individuals are upheld.

The Authority published its first Corporate Parenting Plan in December 2021 and since then has made considerable progress to undertake our duties as a Corporate Parent. This has been through consistent collaboration and partnership with other Corporate Parents, such as Police Scotland, and through an established relationship with Who Cares? Scotland. This is a charity that supports the care experienced community and provides support to Corporate Parents fulfilling their duties.

We are delighted that our work as a Corporate Parent has been recognised by Who Cares? Scotland. The Authority has been shortlisted as a nominee in the Corporate Parenting Awards 2024 in the following categories:

• Care Conscious Employer
• Creating Transformation Award
• Positive Partnerships Award - for the Emergency Services Engagement Event
• Sam Curran for the Equality, Respect & Love Award

I would like to thank all the team at the Authority in helping us to undertake our duties as Corporate Parents and to our partners in helping us in our delivery of these duties. We will provide an update following the awards ceremony, which is due to take place on Thursday 22 August 2024.

Scottish Railways Policing Committee

A meeting of the Scottish Railway Policing Committee (SRPC) took place on Tuesday 4 June 2024 in the Authority’s Glasgow office. Tom Halpin was in attendance and represented the Authority on this committee.
10.2 A report summarising the key issues covered at this meeting is included at Appendix A. Further detail can be found on the British Transport Police Authority website. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for Thursday 19 September 2024.