This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Dumfries and Galloway Police
19/06/2002
Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, Scotland's smallest
police force, has been praised for "excellent ongoing work
on community safety", and "commendable professionalism"
during the Lockerbie trial, in a report published
today.
The HMIC Primary Inspection of Dumfries and Galloway
Constabulary, conducted during February 2002, also confirms
the force is efficient and effective.
The inspection was the first to be conducted by Her
Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Roy Cameron.
He was assisted by Her Majesty's Lay Inspector , Mrs Jane
Irvine and Assistant Inspector, Mr Kenneth McInnes.
Sir Roy Cameron said:
"This report shows strong evidence of excellent ongoing
work on community safety with outstanding public and multi
agency support. I must also commend the force on how it has
responded with commendable professionalism to the
exceptional demands of the Lockerbie Trial, and to the foot
and mouth crisis against a background of significant
conventional operational demands.
" Recently the force has had to confront serious public
concerns regarding the conduct of an officer subsequently
sentenced to imprisonment and dismissed from the service.
The leadership has responded with positive measures which
will enable more open and accessible processes for
initiating complaints. These merit wider national
consideration for application in other Scottish police
forces as part of the current complaints arrangements.
" Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary continues to seek
improvements in service delivery and the current
management, with the support of the police authority, is
sustaining a sound overall strategy."
There were a number of recommendations identified by
HMIC which reinforce ongoing developments in force. These
include:
- refinements to the policy process in relation to
more specific targets, the human resources strategy and
financial services
- endorsement of active work with the local authority
to upgrade the CCTV system developing options which may
be of wider community safety interest
- improvements in crime recording and the
dissemination of intelligence
- a more strategic approach to best value
In addition HMIC has taken the opportunity to highlight
certain issues which are of national significance for
consideration by ACPOS, including:
- the development of open and accessible arrangements
for recording complaints in addition to traditional
methods
- in the light of increasing drugs seizures, an
review of the current approach to high levels of drugs
storage in consultation with the Crown
- ensuring consistency across Scotland in the ongoing
development of officer safety equipment and
training
Apart from the profile on community relations, good
practice is identified in respect of the use of the
Intranet for effective communications, well proven
procedures in emergency planning and practical use of the
special constabulary.
It is anticipated that following publication of the
Report, the force will devise an action plan to progress
the recommendations which will be the subject of future
review by HMIC.
Dumfries and Galloway is Scotland's smallest police
force with 471 police personnel and 261 support staff. The
force serves a population of 147,000 people.