This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Front-line policing remains Executive priority
25/09/2003
Commenting as Sir Roy Cameron's published his
annual HM Inspectorate of Constabulary report, and
ahead of a Parliamentary debate on criminal justice and
policing issues, the Deputy Justice Minister today
reaffirmed the Executive's commitment to strengthen
front-line policing in the fight against crime and the
fear of crime.
Hugh Henry said:
"I agree with Sir Roy's report in which it says
there is much that is positive in Scottish
policing.
"The Executive has championed increased police
numbers, together with more civilian staff, improved
technology and other measures which will ensure more
frontline police spend more time on tackling
crime.
"The HMIC Thematic Report on Police Visibility
and Reassurance 'Narrowing the Gap' published in 2002
highlighted public expectations in terms of higher
police visibility.
"In it Sir Roy acknowledged that effective
policing is not just a question of police numbers but
also 'effective deployment, absence management,
tackling bureaucracy and diverting police from
inappropriate responsibilities.'
"That is precisely why the Executive is committed to
both investment and reform. We said that we would deliver
record numbers of police officers and record resources - we
have and we will sustain that. That investment has
already delivered an increase of 848 officers since June
2000.
"Other Executive-backed initiatives will
consolidate this investment by ensuring policing
resources are used to the greatest effect and ensure
more police are engaged and deployed in the jobs they
were trained for - supporting communities.
"These include
The review of common police services is
looking at back office services and how the
provision of services within and between forces
can be made more efficient.
We are also making available money so
that police officers can be equipped with the
latest technology.
The Executive is committed to supporting
forces in streamlining call handling facilities
to provide a better service to the public and
to make it easier for them to call the police.
Most Scottish forces are currently developing
centralised call handling facilities for this
purpose and many will come on line from next
year.
The High Court Reform Bill should see
police officers having to spend less time
waiting to be called to give evidence in court.
For example, in the High Court fixing a trial
diet only in cases where a trial is necessary
should reduce the number of witnesses,
including police witnesses, that require to be
cited.
In addition, subject to the successful
conclusion of an on-going tendering process,
the Executive will make available an additional
resources available to support the contracting
out of prison escort duties. This could mean as
many as 300 officers being released for other
operational duties.
"The Executive is and will continue to work
alongsideScotland's police forces to deliver a safer, strongerScotland."