New Chief sets out her vision for policing

Scotland’s new Chief Constable Jo Farrell has outlined her vision to deliver effective policing for communities.

Chief Constable Farrell prioritised threat, harm and risk; prevention, problem solving and proactivity; and the wellbeing of officers and staff so they can deliver for the public.

Speaking at a Scottish Police Authority Board meeting in Edinburgh, the Chief Constable said she would progress a second phase of policing reform to deliver the full integration of Police Scotland while building even closer ties with public services to drive efficiency.

The Service is also reviewing senior posts and corporate services to ensure resources support frontline policing.

Chief Constable Farrell urged government to invest £128m in policing next year to continue reform of policing. She said the establishment of Police Scotland was a successful example of government spending to save, with policing returning £200m to the public purse every year compared to legacy arrangements.

Chief Constable Farrell said: “Reform of policing represented an innovative, ambitious and optimistic response to austerity and Police Scotland is now a national asset known for compassion and high standards.

“A changing, ageing population; a cost of living crisis driving vulnerability and pressure on other services; civil unrest; new laws and increasingly complex investigations all contribute to growing community need and increasing contacts to policing from the public.

“Police Scotland must focus intensely on our core duties and what matters to the people we serve. If what we do doesn’t protect the vulnerable from harm, prevent crime or support our officers and staff, we will challenge that and redirect resources.”

The Chief Constable also said officers must spend less time on mental health calls; in accident and emergency and attending court for trials that don’t happen.

She said: “Policing is determined to play our part in criminal justice reform – to make efficiencies, but more importantly deliver better service for the people we serve.

“We will make appropriate use of direct measures at the lowest end of offending so the entire system can focus on delivering justice in the more serious cases.

“We will work with the Scottish Government and the Crown Office to capture digital evidence, including on body worn video, and share the evidence to support better and quicker court outcomes.

“At the same time, policing must redefine our responsibilities around mental health.

“We must respond to people in crises but policing is not the best agency to provide people living with poor mental health with all the care and support they need and deserve.

“Officers should not routinely be performing welfare checks or sitting in hospital waiting rooms for lengthy periods of time.”

The Chief Constable said £128m including an uplift to capital funding would restart officer recruitment for the year ahead; fund the cost of this year’s 7% pay award for officers and staff and make a credible offer next year; enable a programme of voluntary retirement and redundancy; and rapidly reshape Police Scotland to deliver more savings in years ahead while ensuring effective service.

Chief Constable Farrell added: “Without funding over and above flat cash, we will be unable to recruit police officers in 2024-25. My experience in England is that would significantly impact community policing and proactivity like drugs raids.”

Watch Chief Constable Farrell’s report here.