Tuesday 06 Nov 2007 @ 12:15
Scottish Government
Scottish Government
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Lothian and Borders Police
Lothian and Borders Police has demonstrated positive progress in its efforts to improve service delivery, according to a report published today by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).
The review inspection report focuses on the current activities undertaken by Lothian and Borders Police, including action taken in response to the recommendations and suggestions made in HMIC's primary force inspection in 2003 and the subsequent review inspection in 2005.
Of the 22 recommendations and 17 areas for further review made after the primary inspection, 12 recommendations and 5 areas for review had been fully discharged after the first review in 2005. During this review inspection HMIC was able to fully discharge 7 recommendations and 9 areas for review.
These included positive developments in how the force manages it performance, looks after people who have been arrested, operates the largest police operational unit in Europe and the successful delivery of high quality diversity training. In addition, HMIC was pleased to note the emphasis placed by the force on the National Intelligence Model (NIM) in both in its business planning processes and operational service delivery.
While HMIC could not conclude its interest in how effectively the Force Communication Centre delivered a service it was noted that at the time of the review inspection, a structured review project was being undertaken and measurable improvements had already been achieved.
Of the 9 areas for review which had been identified at the first review inspection HMIC was able to conclude its interest in 8 of these areas. During the inspection its was identified that the force had made progress in these areas which included how the force dealt with people who have learning difficulties, performance in relation to sickness absence and how the deployment of firearms officers was approached.
As part of the inspection process, HMIC also examined other areas of policing including gender and age equality, marches and parades, sectarianism, use of electronic notebooks, human trafficking, anti social behaviour, business benefits, child protection and the forces approach to the Scottish Police Services Authority. HMIC was particularly impressed with the progress that the force had made in piloting electronic notebooks.
Former Chief Inspector of Constabulary (who is now retired but led on this inspection), Andrew Brown, said:
"Lothian and Borders Police has made good progress in addressing the recommendations of the 2003 primary inspection and the the first review inspection in 2005.
"A structured and positive approach across a number of areas is enhancing performance and improving the service being provided to the communities of the Lothian and Borders police area.
"The force has taken action to address all of the issues raised by the primary or first review inspections and although HMIC has not concluded my interest in a small number of these areas I am pleased to see that progress is being made."
Up until July this year HMIC uses a cyclical inspection process comprising a primary inspection and two successive reviews. It can be summarised as follows:
* A primary inspection of each police force and common police service is made every five years. This comprises a comprehensive examination of all aspects of activity at a strategic level. Subsequent field work focuses on areas which attract particular attention due to performance levels, variations from common practice or concerns identified about approaches followed. The process also seeks to identify good practice for other forces or common services. A report is presented to the appropriate police board/authority, published and placed on the HMIC website
* In the intervening years, two review inspections take place at 18-month intervals. These focus on issues including progress against recommendations made in the preceding primary inspection and against recommendations made in recent thematic inspections and national developments in policing. Reports of these inspections are presented to the Police Board/Authority and a copy posted on the HMIC website
A new inspection process is currently being developed by HMIC which will replace the previous process and as such this review inspection is the last carried out under the previous process.
This report is presented to the police authority and published on the HMIC website.
Related Information
The review inspection report focuses on the current activities undertaken by Lothian and Borders Police, including action taken in response to the recommendations and suggestions made in HMIC's primary force inspection in 2003 and the subsequent review inspection in 2005.
Of the 22 recommendations and 17 areas for further review made after the primary inspection, 12 recommendations and 5 areas for review had been fully discharged after the first review in 2005. During this review inspection HMIC was able to fully discharge 7 recommendations and 9 areas for review.
These included positive developments in how the force manages it performance, looks after people who have been arrested, operates the largest police operational unit in Europe and the successful delivery of high quality diversity training. In addition, HMIC was pleased to note the emphasis placed by the force on the National Intelligence Model (NIM) in both in its business planning processes and operational service delivery.
While HMIC could not conclude its interest in how effectively the Force Communication Centre delivered a service it was noted that at the time of the review inspection, a structured review project was being undertaken and measurable improvements had already been achieved.
Of the 9 areas for review which had been identified at the first review inspection HMIC was able to conclude its interest in 8 of these areas. During the inspection its was identified that the force had made progress in these areas which included how the force dealt with people who have learning difficulties, performance in relation to sickness absence and how the deployment of firearms officers was approached.
As part of the inspection process, HMIC also examined other areas of policing including gender and age equality, marches and parades, sectarianism, use of electronic notebooks, human trafficking, anti social behaviour, business benefits, child protection and the forces approach to the Scottish Police Services Authority. HMIC was particularly impressed with the progress that the force had made in piloting electronic notebooks.
Former Chief Inspector of Constabulary (who is now retired but led on this inspection), Andrew Brown, said:
"Lothian and Borders Police has made good progress in addressing the recommendations of the 2003 primary inspection and the the first review inspection in 2005.
"A structured and positive approach across a number of areas is enhancing performance and improving the service being provided to the communities of the Lothian and Borders police area.
"The force has taken action to address all of the issues raised by the primary or first review inspections and although HMIC has not concluded my interest in a small number of these areas I am pleased to see that progress is being made."
Up until July this year HMIC uses a cyclical inspection process comprising a primary inspection and two successive reviews. It can be summarised as follows:
* A primary inspection of each police force and common police service is made every five years. This comprises a comprehensive examination of all aspects of activity at a strategic level. Subsequent field work focuses on areas which attract particular attention due to performance levels, variations from common practice or concerns identified about approaches followed. The process also seeks to identify good practice for other forces or common services. A report is presented to the appropriate police board/authority, published and placed on the HMIC website
* In the intervening years, two review inspections take place at 18-month intervals. These focus on issues including progress against recommendations made in the preceding primary inspection and against recommendations made in recent thematic inspections and national developments in policing. Reports of these inspections are presented to the Police Board/Authority and a copy posted on the HMIC website
A new inspection process is currently being developed by HMIC which will replace the previous process and as such this review inspection is the last carried out under the previous process.
This report is presented to the police authority and published on the HMIC website.
Related Information
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