Recommendation 1

(Paragraph 1.7)

That the Standing Committee of Chief Constables commissions a strategic review of the threat to Scotland from serious and organised crime.

Recommendation 2

(Paragraph 2.4)

That a structured system of assessment be created to prioritise potential operations, which is capable of appropriate external scrutiny.

Recommendation 3

(Paragraph 3.10)

That personnel selection procedures for the Scottish Crime Squad be revised to ensure:

• a detailed person specification is drawn up for each post.;
• there is a consistent selection process; and
• the current system which allocates places in the squad on a quota basis be replaced by one which seeks to provide the best candidate for each job irrespective of force of origin, gender, marital status or ethnicity.

Recommendation 4

(Paragraph 3.17)

That the basic tenure period for secondments to the Scottish Crime Squad be for a period of 5 years, subject to any adjustment which may be required to meet individual or operational needs.

Recommendation 5

(Paragraph 3.24)

That the Standing Committee of Chief Constables undertakes a review of the alternatives to the present employee status of police and support staff in the Scottish Crime Squad.

Recommendation 6

(Paragraph 5.13)

That the Standing Committee of Chief Constables establishes as a formal tasking and co-ordinating mechanism for the Scottish Crime Squad. This should encompass all of the Scottish forces and associated law enforcement agencies and meetings should be at strategic level and not problem led.

Recommendation 7

(Paragraph 5.31)

That police overtime and subsistence within the Scottish Crime Squad be managed according to current regulations and conditions of service. If the Standing Committee considers that the current legislation governing these issues is inappropriate it is open to chief constables to make recommendation for change to the Scottish Executive.

Recommendation 8

(paragraph 5.33)

That the Standing Committee of Chief Constables develops a code of professional standards and ethics for the Scottish Crime Squad. This should include criteria and procedures for personal vetting of squad officers and support staff.