Report Summary
This report provides members of the Policing Performance Committee with an overview of Stop & Search Performance Update.
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Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Policing Performance Committee - 15 June 2023
Date : 15 June 2023
Location : online
Introduction
Stop and search remains a valuable policing tactic which helps prevent, investigate and detect crime to keep people safe and is just one tactical option available to officers.
Police Scotland recognises that stopping and searching members of the public is an intrusion into their personal liberty and privacy and is committed to making sure it is done in a manner that is lawful, proportionate and accountable.
Being a rights based organisation, Police Scotland ensures robust governance and transparency around the use of the tactic to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice and by extension, the upholding of Human Rights.
Officers continue to carry out Stop and Search in line with Police Scotland's values of fairness, integrity, respect and human rights with officers being fully accountable for their actions. The decision to search a person must always be based on reasonable grounds which can be formed from a number of different factors, including intelligence, information, an officer’s own observations and from general engagement with anyone they encounter.