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Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary Primary Inspection 2002
List of Areas to be reviewed at the Next Inspection
Staffing Review
1. Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary has conducted a comprehensive staffing review and has altered deployment of staff as a result to assist in the effective use of resources. Force goals refer to the monitoring and evaluation of the staffing review and HMIC will monitor progress at the next review inspection.
Shift Arrangements
2. The Third Year Review Inspection of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary referred to the need for the force executive to dispel misunderstandings regarding the review of shift systems. This has now been overtaken by the bespoke implementation of the 222 shift system which involves two day shifts, two backshifts (usually from late afternoon to late evening duty) and two nightshifts. This was piloted in Dumfries Division for one year before being implemented force-wide and is being welcomed at this stage by force management and front line staff. An overarching Best Value Review is proposed throughout Scotland, addressing shift patterns, and Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary intend to review the 222 system in conjunction with the national review. It is early days in the application of the new system and the force has some issues to address such as the shift arrangement worked by CCTV operators. HMIC will look again at shift arrangements at the next review inspection.
Senior Staff Development
3. Senior managers have undertaken an exercise in the use of 360º appraisal as part of senior staff development. The force engaged consultants who devised a system involving scoring and comments from peers, managers and subordinates in respect of the criteria relevant to Chief Officer appointments. In conclusion the consultant provided an individual interview and overview assisting in the preparation of an action plan for each officer who took part. The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS) members spoken to and the minutes of an ASPS meeting show it was seen as a useful means of improving skills. The head of Personnel and Training and her staff are also using 360º appraisal annually. HMIC will be interested to consider the force's assessment of this practice at the next review inspection.
Custody Facilities Stranraer
4. Both custody facilities have sound and vision CCTV with extensive coverage. One area of concern to HMIC was the positioning of the observation cell camera in Stranraer which covered the toilet area creating a significant problem in respect of privacy particularly in the case of female prisoners. The Area Inspector at Stranraer who has specific responsibility for the cells is aware of this issue, and at the time of the inspection, solutions were being sought. The positioning of the toilet itself in some cells also potentially creates a health and safety issue as the toilet is placed on a raised shelf and custody officers made reference to a number of prisoners having stepped back from the shelf and fallen. These matters will be reviewed by HMIC at the next review inspection.
Lay Visitors
5. The Local Authority has recruited a number of volunteers to act as independent lay visitors to custody suites. Training has been provided and HM Lay Inspector met with one of the volunteers who was found to be enthusiastic and committed to the task ahead. The scheme had not yet commenced at the time of the inspection and should be subject to evaluation at an early stage in order to optimise benefit. This matter will be reviewed by HMIC at the next review inspection.
Crime Management Services Restructuring
6. The change process has taken place against a backdrop of the force conducting seven murder enquiries during 2001. The reality of this has meant that for substantial periods the majority of detective personnel, supplemented by other officers with previous CMS experience, have been engaged in dealing with these serious crimes. Staff interviewed all qualified what they were saying against this backdrop, but there was a general feeling that the new organisational structure had changed very little. The force may wish to re-visit the concept to ensure the force fully understands what is intended to be achieved through devolvement and to ensure the impetus needed if it is to be effective. However this is a significant change in the force's structure and HMIC will review its effectiveness at the next review inspection.
7. HMIC found that police reports are presented to a high standard, through the scrutiny of the Case Management Unit. Standards are also maintained through consultation with the local Procurator Fiscal and this is monitored at Procurator Fiscal liaison meetings with senior police management. HMIC met with the local Procurator Fiscal who was very complimentary of the standard of work being submitted by the force particularly the standard of recent serious crime investigations. The Procurator Fiscal raised the issue of quality relating to the "analysis of evidence" section of the standard police report. This element of case preparation is presently the subject of further development by the Case Management Unit and HMIC will review progress in improving the standard in respect of this important area of the police report at the next review inspection.
Devolvement of Mobile Support Group Resources
8. The force intends to evaluate the success of the devolvement of Mobile Support Group resources to divisions in the near future. HMIC will be interested to learn the findings of this review at its next inspection.
Police National Computer Audit
9. HMIC will review the progress made by the force in implementing the recommendations made in the Police National Computer (PNC) compliance audit.
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