Policing performance framework report

20 Jan 2010 09:29 AM

The second annual report on Scottish Policing Performance Framework published today by the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS) highlighted three areas of performance where improvements were required.

The three areas are:

• User Focus - More work needs to be done by forces in capturing the experiences and views of victims. The latest survey figures show that although the majority of respondents are confident in their force's general abilities, confidence levels are nevertheless relatively low on a number of key activities including preventing crime, responding quickly to calls and catching criminals. (Further inspection work in relation to the service provided to victims of crime will be carried out by HMICS in the coming year)
• Working with partners in the criminal justice system - in seeking the outcome of more effective justice, the report highlights the numbers of cases where proceedings were not taken and where there was insufficient evidence. Attention is also drawn to the varying use and conformity rates across forces of Antisocial Behaviour Fixed Penalty Notices and Formal Adult Warnings
• Police personnel - While inroads have been make in reducing sickness absence rates, there continues to be a difference between the police officer and police staff rates, with police staff being consistently higher. This finding merits further exploration

In relation to staffing profile by disability, ethnicity and gender, the report notes that the number of black and ethnic minority police officers have fallen to below one percent.

The report states: "Given the importance of having a workforces that is reflective of our increasingly diverse society the current position is unsatisfactory."

Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Mr Bill Skelly said:

"The Scottish Policing Performance Framework is becoming one of the main mechanisms by which the policing performance in Scotland is monitored.

"With increasing use there has now become a greater awareness of the existing gaps and inconsistencies in the indicators and data behind them. We are pleased to note that, as a result, work has been and continues to be carried out to resolve these shortcomings"

"The next stage in the evolution of this framework is to ensure that it fulfil its ultimate purpose - to identify areas for improvement and drive improvement activity. We will continue to monitor developments and look forward to working closely with the Service and stakeholders to make Scotland a safer place''.

The Scottish Policing Performance Framework (SPPF) was first launched across Scotland in April 2007. It is the product of significant collaborative working between the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS), the eight Scottish Police Forces, the Scottish Government, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS), Audit Scotland, the Scottish Police Services Authority and the Scottish Police Authorities Conveners' Forum. Following the publication of the 2007/08 version of the framework, a more comprehensive version of the framework is now in place for 2008/09.

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