This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Chief Inspector of Constabulary
30/11/2006
HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andrew Brown has today questioned whether the role and purpose of the police as set out in the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 needs to be updated in the light of policing in the 21st Century.
The comments - made in his final annual report before retiring - follow changes in the service during the last 40 years, including technological advances and the challenges from international and internet crime, alongside the ongoing requirement for forces to serve Scotland's communities.
Mr Brown acknowledges that Scotland's police service has continued to modernise in response to these changes. However, he concludes that the scope and volume of police work nowadays compared to the 1960s has grown dramatically and recommends an examination of its role and purpose.
The report to the year ending March 31, also highlights recent developments including creation of the Violence Reduction Unit in Strathclyde and its national roll-out, recruitment of Scotland's record number of police officers and partnership working with local authorities to tackle antisocial behaviour.
Other key areas highlighted include:
- The five per cent decrease in the total number of crimes in Scotland is encouraging
- The five per cent increase in the recorded cases of rape and attempted rape may be due to continued pro-active efforts by police to encourage the reporting of such crimes.
- The creation of the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA) on April 1, 2007 will bring together a range of common services for all Scotland's police forces on a national basis, including the development of a new national forensic science service
- Lowering of the threshold for cash seizures under the Proceeds of Crime Act to fight against crime
- Establishment of the Police Complaints Commissioner in Scotland to provide a further degree of independence in handling non-criminal complaints against the police
Mr Brown said:
"The past year has been a particularly demanding one for the police service in Scotland. In July 2005 officers from across the UK and Scotland's eight forces, successfully took part in policing the G8 World Leaders summit at Gleneagles.
"However, events in London on July 7 reminded us of the ever present threat posed by international terrorism. I therefore welcome the work being carried out by ACPOS to consider how the police service can be better equipped to deal with serious and organised crime, counter terrorism and public order.
"On the domestic front, my report identifies a number of developments that are helping the police fight crime and create safer, stronger communities. The national roll-out of the Strathclyde-based Violence Reduction Unit is a good example of a local initiative which can benefit all communities in Scotland. Its work along with other agencies on the Safer Scotland campaign is helping to challenge Scotland's knife culture.
"Police forces have been working with local authorities to develop local strategies to tackle antisocial behaviour using the wide-ranging powers in the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2004. In addition, the Executive-funded community wardens scheme has seen some 550 wardens playing an important role in promoting community safety and development.
"I have found that Scotland's forces are in a pretty good state of health but I do also note that in the last 40 years since the role and purpose of policing was set out in legislation there have been many changes and technological advances which impact directly on how the service is delivered for the public. That is why I think the time is ripe for an examination of the role and purpose of the police service.
"As I approach the end of my time as HMCIC, I am confident that Scotland's forces will benefit from the many improvements currently being introduced, and continue to evolve and adapt while providing an efficient and effective service for all Scotland's people."
The role and purpose of policing in the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 includes the following definition:
- to guard, patrol and watch so as -
- to prevent the commission of offences
- to preserve order
- to protect life and property