This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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HMCIC annual report 2002/03
25/09/2003
Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of
Constabulary, Sir Roy Cameron publishes his annual report
today.
In his last report to Ministers before
he retires in the new year, Sir Roy says that there is much
that is positive in Scottish policing, but identifies areas
for further development.
The Report acknowledges that recorded
crime has seen a small reduction with detection at a record
46 per cent reflecting continuing high levels of police
proactivity in relation to drugs, crimes of violence and
disorder.
HMCIC highlights growing demands upon
forces in relation to terrorism, computer crime, victim
support, and in the care and custody of prisoners often
with drugs or mental problems.
Sir Roy said:
"The Scottish Police Service is
reaching a defining point in terms of its capacity to meet
the emerging and foreseeable needs of the 21
st century.
It is therefore essential that opportunities
for change are expedited to promote consistency of service,
to reduce duplication between forces, and to translate
operational benefits to the public."
"Even in an age of increasing global
and technical sophistication, policing in Scotland remains
in essence a local community service. Policing continues to
face an increasing range of demands and expectations. The
patrol element in particular has to endure continued
pressure.
"While clearly the maintenance of
realistic police numbers is essential in meeting these
demands, there is also a requirement for the elimination of
non core work - such as court and custody related duties
and a reduction in bureaucracy - in areas such as the
processing of reports and criminal justice
administration."
Any review of policing capacity in
Scotland, Sir Roy concludes, should take account of :
The critical mass of numbers
and flexibility of deployment essential to
absorbing the large scale and variable demands of
modern policing
The practicalities and
established values of locally based policing which
preserve identity and ownership
The necessary investment in
support and technical infrastructure, including
scenes of crime, forensics , research and
development, to ensure modern methods of policing
can be effectively exploited with maximum delivery
and minimum duplication, and
The recognition that law
enforcement requires to be part of a 'joined up'
approach to social and economic progress and
thereby sustained community well being
The report also says that there would
be operational gains from a review of current arrangements
in Scotland to address the organised crime agenda in a more
coherent and integrated way."
HMIC is required by statute to provide
a report on the state and efficiency of police forces
generally.
The Report provides a resume of
significant issues on service delivery including priorities
in policing, community planning, performance, leadership,
funding and resources. A summary of a wide range of work
undertaken by HMIC during 2002/3 is also provided.
Apart from primary and review
inspections of several forces and common police services,
thematic inspections were concluded on visibility and
reassurance, family liaison, race relations and crime
management.
This is Sir Roy Cameron's final
annual report as HMCIC. He will retire in January 2004.