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Strathclyde Police Primary Inspection 2004
Executive Summary and Recommendations
Overview
1 Strathclyde Police is Scotland's largest police force, providing a service to almost half of the country's population. It has earned a high reputation for strong and effective partnership working, the investigation and management of serious crime and the planning and policing of major events.
2 The force has carried out a comprehensive strategic review of its management structure and the processes relating to the control of major projects. Some of the recommendations made are being implemented and although in the early stages of development, the indications are very positive.
3 The Chief Constable is supported by the force executive, comprising of Deputy Chief Constable, four Assistant Chief Constables, Directors of Information Technology (IT), Legal Services, Finance and Resources and Human Resources (HR). The Directors of IT and HR took up their posts in May 2004. Following the appointment of the Deputy Chief Constable as Chief Constable of Grampian Police in April 2004, his duties were being carried out by an acting rank, as were the roles of the Assistant Chief Constables for Personnel and Crime. At the time of inspection, the selection processes for the posts of Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constable (Crime) were ongoing. The Chief Constable and his Executive team have initiated a challenging programme of change within the force, including centralised crime recording, call management, revised business planning mechanisms and a focus on major improvements in the IT infrastructure.
4 Whilst carrying out the fieldwork, HMIC observed a widespread enthusiasm among officers and force support staff, in the desire to deliver a professional service, but in the firm belief that policing cannot be carried out in isolation. This is reflected in the number of successful partnerships that exist throughout the force and the favourable comments from the many external partners which validate these findings.
5 The Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police was a founder member of the Community Planning Task Force when it was established in 2001 and took over as its Chair the following year. This body was responsible for taking community planning forward on a national basis and shaping the legislation which was later introduced.
Key Issues
6 The following key recommendations emerge:
- introduction of a transparent promotion selection procedure
- review of the existing shift system
- review of the crime recording system.
7 During the course of the inspection, a number of significant issues emerged that are of concern at a national, as well as force level. HMIC recommends that these be addressed through ACPOS, notably:
- the identification of training needs in relation to the authorisation of directed surveillance activity
- clarification of the criteria for the deployment of Family Liaison Officers in response to road deaths.
8 In addition, the inspection identified a number of important areas of work in respect of which the force is currently developing its processes and procedures. These are significant for a variety of reasons and will be subject to progress monitoring at the next inspection, including:
- the management of major projects
- the force strategic planning process
- the development of performance management
- outsourcing of staff welfare services
- Best Value arrangements.
Conclusion
9 HMIC considers the force to be efficient and effective.
Recommendations
10 It is anticipated that following publication of the Report, the force will prepare an action plan to progress the recommendations, which will be the subject of future review by HMIC.
Strathclyde Joint Police Board
Recommendation 1: HMIC recommends that Strathclyde Joint Police Board formalises its arrangements for involvement in the complaints process by establishing a permanent Police Complaints Sub-Committee ( paragraph 1.19).
Strathclyde Police
Recommendation 2: HMIC recommends that the force acts swiftly to introduce a transparent promotion selection procedure, which is capable of assessing both officers within the force and potential candidates from other forces ( paragraph 3.16).
Recommendation 3: HMIC recommends that the force enters into early dialogue with staff associations and develops options to amend or replace the existing shift system ( paragraph 5.5).
Recommendation 4: HMIC recommends that in developing options to amend or replace the existing shift system, the force takes cognisance of the welfare of officers attending court after a scheduled night shift tour of duty ( paragraph 5.7).
Recommendation 5: HMIC recommends that the force reviews the approaches taken to staff redeployment, recruitment and estimating demand with appropriate level of resources in future major change management projects ( paragraph 5.16).
Recommendation 6: HMIC recommends that the force reviews the requirement for a new crime recording system within the context of its change programme and future operational and business needs ( paragraph 5.18).
Recommendation 8: HMIC recommends that, subject to the clarification by ACPOS of the criteria for the deployment of Family Liaison Officers (FLOs) in response to road deaths, the force reviews the requirement for trained FLOs within the Road Policing Department to ensure that the appropriate level of trained resources is available ( paragraph 5.68).
Recommendation 9: HMIC recommends that the restructuring of the Operations Department is revisited and timeously concluded and, at the conclusion of the restructuring process, a post-implementation review be undertaken ( paragraph 5.72).
Recommendation 10: HMIC recommends that the case for an intelligence analyst as part of the Road Policing Department Intelligence Office be given active and positive consideration ( paragraph 5.78).
Recommendation 11: HMIC recommends that the force takes into consideration the findings of this inspection in reviewing its arrangements for the custody and care of prisoners, paying particular attention to matters of custody management, health and safety and staff training ( paragraph 5.145).
Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS)
Recommendation 7: HMIC recommends that ACPOS examines the authorisation of directed surveillance with a view to identifying training needs on a national basis ( paragraph 5.20).
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