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Covering Letter
Cabinet Secretary for Justice
Kenny MacAskill MSP
T: 0845 774 1741
E: scottish.ministers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Colleagues
23 January 2009
INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF POLICING IN SCOTLAND
Last May I asked Paddy Tomkins, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary, to carry out an independent review of policing. I received the report on 9 January and have pleasure in publishing it today, and inviting you to engage in a debate about the serious challenges it highlights.
Paddy and his team have worked extremely hard to engage widely. I am grateful to the Review Team, the Advisory Group, and key partners and stakeholders for the contribution they have made through workshops, meetings, and responding to questionnaires. I am particularly delighted that over 2,500 police staff at all levels responded to the in-service survey. Overall, I believe the report offers a solid evidence base for a debate, and points to serious challenges which we must all work together to address.
I am pleased that the Review confirms that local risks are dealt with effectively. Community policing is strong across Scotland. However, threats like counter-terrorism or serious organised crime have a national dimension, but current legislation focuses Chief Constables and police boards solely on their force area. Tackling these threats needs specialist resources, but duplicating these across Scotland, or sharing in an ad-hoc way, raises problems about cost and who is accountable for delivery. The true cost of delivering police services - whether it be community policing or specialist services - is poorly understood, and service standards are not agreed across policing.
There is a need to act decisively to address these challenges, but it must be in partnership. I want to work with COSLA to ensure our response reflects the new landscape following the signing of our historic concordat. Of course I will also want to work with key stakeholders in policing to consider ways forward. I have asked my officials to engage with you over the coming weeks to gather your views around the Review's findings and to formulate next steps.
I am writing today to the Chair of the Justice Committee of the Scottish Parliament, COSLA, ACPOS, ASPS, the Scottish Police Federation, the Police Authority Conveners' Forum, the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland and the Scottish Police Services Authority.
KENNY MACASKILL
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