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10 SECURING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Members of staff from the Grampian Area are involved in meeting with local community groups and organisations concerning a wide variety of issues, for example, Victim Support, Grampian Racial Equality Council, Multi Ethnic Aberdeen Limited, Interfaith, Local Authorities, etc. The aim is to enhance the profile of the Procurator Fiscal Service in the community.
The Area is also represented on groups such as the Grampian Police Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Group ( LGBT) and have set up a system of one-to-one relationships with such groups where members of the Area Diversity Team are allocated responsibility to liaise with a specific group, for example, the Area Business Manager keeps in contact with the Grampian Racial Equality Council.
The Area Fiscal is a member of the North East of Scotland Child Protection Committee ( NESCPC) which is chaired by the Chief Constable. Given the increase in child witness cases this involvement is fundamental in helping provide for a secure and safe environment for children to live. In 2007 she contributed to drafting NESCPC guidance and to a draft protocol for conducting significant incident case reviews. She has also contributed to 'Common Purpose' events in Aberdeen which has resulted in invitations from local organisations to provide awareness training.
The District Fiscal, Elgin as a child witness expert and an Aberdeen Principal Depute provide input to a joint investigative interviewing training course held three times per year and also training has been provided to the police on sexual offences. The District Fiscal Elgin also liaises with the Royal Air Force in the area.
Representatives from the Area attend career fairs, schools and universities to explain the role of the Procurator Fiscal Service and the Area Team are currently in the process of creating Area-specific recruitment literature.
The Area also liaises with the local press and had an awareness session with the Evening Express in February 2008.
Representatives from the Area have attended Islamic Awareness Events and Grampian Racial Equality Conferences.
The Area is proactive in making contact with new organisations such as the Scottish Disability Forum.
Groups we spoke to, for example, Witness Service, Victims Support, Women's Aid, regard their relationships with staff in the Grampian Area as good as they are willing to make themselves available at any time to discuss issues.
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