Complaints, investigations and misconduct in policing: implementation of recommendations - thematic progress report - December 2021
Second thematic progress report following publication of Dame Eish Angiolini’s final report setting out implementation progress with details of the status and lead responsibility for each recommendation.
Theme 7: Training and HR
In contrast to the previous theme, all recommendations under this theme can be implemented without the need to make legislation. These recommendations are primarily for partners to develop and implement within their own organisations.
Police Scotland training
As noted in the last thematic progress report, a comprehensive five day induction training course has been implemented and this is now complemented by the development and implementation of a one day course to provide additional training for new staff members. A refresher training programme has also been established and is available as part of the regular cycle of Continued Professional Development events. Furthermore, Police Scotland's Professional Standards Department (PSD) has established both a Training Working Group and a training cadre, comprised of PSD staff, which provides development and enhanced training programmes. All training provided benefits from significant on-going support and input from both the PIRC and CAAPD. As a result, Recommendation 6 has been fully implemented and is now complete.
Recommendation 62 has similarly been fully implemented. The training officer appointed by PSD is now in post and joint training with the SPSO, the PIRC and the SPA is taking place on a regular basis. This completes the action necessary to implement this recommendation.
Progress continues to be made in relation to Recommendation 67. A national mental health aide memoire has been prepared by Police Scotland and consultation feedback from key stakeholders is currently being sought. Training relating to mental health symptoms and behaviours, which is currently available online, and officer safety training are both being reviewed by Police Scotland. Mental Health leads for Operational Command Training are considering, and preparing to finalise, material designed on Leading Mental Health Incidents which includes best practice on leading incidents, detention, warrants, risk assessment and accessing treatment.
Similarly, work continues on Recommendation 14, with a new process having been implemented across all ranks. The framework of this new process is underpinned by the Competency and Values Framework for Police Scotland which aims to support all policing professionals and ensures that there are clear expectations of everyone working in policing. Having been implemented, the new process is now subject to both internal Police Scotland review and review by HMICS. Those reviews should determine the impact and effectiveness of the new process.
PIRC training
The PIRC provides in-house training through shadowing and mentoring, and its trainees attend Police Scotland's Training College at Jackton and a University course as part of their trainee continuous professional development programme. A further assessment of training needs to identify any gaps which require to be addressed is ongoing and the results will be assessed and actions discharged through the Heads of Department Group. Progress has been made in relation to Recommendation 63, with staff visits having been made to police custody suites and operational safety training completed. It is the PIRC's intention to progress work-shadowing of police officers in due course.
In anticipation of an increased investigations workload, which is expected as a result of recommendation 47 implementation (see the Rights & Ethics theme for further information), the PIRC has circulated to all of its investigators material on evidential requirements relating to assaults. This includes an aide memoire and style template guide. These will be kept under review as they are used in order that they can be updated as and when necessary. Materials relating to other charges are being similarly prepared. As Recommendation 64 specifically relates to the delivery of PIRC's internal training for investigators in the law of evidence, this recommendation has now been fully implemented.
Joint PIRC and Police Scotland training
As set out in the last thematic progress report, the PIRC and PSD training cadre have established training material and regularly deliver jointly on Police Scotland's internal PSD
training, Divisional Training, Leadership training and National training. The delivery of the 'Learning Point' publication provides a medium for capturing and sharing learning that has been identified through PIRC investigations and complaint handling reviews. This has been embedded in 'business as usual' processes and will provide a foundation for theoretical learning to be shared and embedded in practical Policing operations. In light of this, partners have agreed that Recommendation 65 has been successfully implemented, particularly with new model SPA and PSD training being delivered at the Police Scotland College in Tulliallan, and this recommendation is now complete.
Police Scotland People and Development
Progress continues to be made in relation to Recommendation 11, with Police Scotland currently considering the workload of frontline sergeants. Rank ratios have been analysed across Police Scotland, the outcome of which has identified significant differences across the Force. These findings were presented at the Corporate Finance and Performance Board. Divisional Commanders are now reviewing their rank ratios, using Strategic Workforce Planning methodologies. Findings will be presented back to Police Scotland's Strategic Workforce Planning team once they have been collated. They will be accompanied by an options paper in order that decisions can be taken in order to further progress this recommendation.
Further updates
Details on progress against other recommendations under this theme are set out in the table below:
Theme 7: Training and HR |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
Progress Overview for the period 1 May to 30 September 2021 |
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Recommendations |
Lead |
Current Position |
||
6 |
All officers and support staff in Police Scotland's Professional Standards Department (PSD) to receive comprehensive induction training and regular refresher development. |
Police Scotland |
Complete |
A comprehensive 5-day induction training package was carried out and one-day course has been developed to provide training for new staff members. A refresher training programme has also been established, with Continued Professional Development events taking place on a regular basis. Professional Standards Department (PSD) Training Working Group and Training cadre has also been established, comprising PSD staff, providing development and enhancing training programmes. All training is supported with significant ongoing input from both PIRC & CAAPD. |
11 |
Police Scotland to consider front line sergeant workload at and supervisory ratio of sergeants to constables |
Police Scotland |
In progress |
Rank ratios have been analysed across Police Scotland with findings presented at Corporate Finance and Performance Board where it was identified that there were significant differences across the Force. Divisional Commanders were tasked with reviewing their rank ratios in line with Dame Elish's recommendations using Strategic Workforce Planning methodologies and present their findings back to Strategic Workforce Planning team. Findings from this exercise are still being collated and once this is achieved an options paper will be presented November/December 2021 for decision. |
14 |
Police Scotland Executive team should consider in depth and review the criteria and competencies that it uses to assess police officers' readiness for promotion. |
Police Scotland |
In progress Awaiting Sign off |
The new promotion process has been implemented across all ranks and the framework underpinned by the Competency and Values Framework (CVF). This will be subject to both internal review and review by HMICS. Evidence of impact is now awaited. |
62 |
Police Scotland to appoint a PSD training officer to liaise with the SPSO, the PIRC and the SPA on joint training, best practice. |
Police Scotland |
Complete |
Training officer appointed in National Support, Partnerships and Prevention Unit (NSPPU) with responsibility for coordination of all training across PSD business areas. Joint training now takes place on a regular basis. |
63 |
PIRC staff to work shadow police officers at peak times to understand context |
PIRC |
In progress |
Preliminary discussion has taken place between PIRC and Professional Standards Department and it will be progressed now that COVID restrictions have been relaxed. However there have already been PIRC staff visits to custody suites and Officer Safety Training (OST) awareness sessions carried out. Work shadowing will progress in due course. |
64 |
PIRC in house training on law of evidence |
PIRC |
Complete |
PIRC provides in-house training through shadowing and mentoring. Trainees also attend Police Scotland's Jackton training facility and a University course as part of their trainee continuous professional development programme. A further assessment of training needs to identify any gaps is ongoing and the results will be assessed and actions discharged through the Heads of Department Group. As a result of the implementation of Recommendation 47 on 4 October 2021, in-house legal expertise has produced Aide Memoir and Style template guidance on evidential standards and requirements relating to assaults, which will be circulated to all investigators. Further iterations will follow seeking to provide support in respect of a wider range of offences. |
65 |
PIRC and Police Scotland to develop training and development opportunities to embed learning from thematic analysis of complaints |
PIRC/ Police Scotland |
Complete |
In addition to joint training already delivered by PIRC and Police Scotland, further training has been delivered at the Scottish Police College, SPA and Police Scotland Professional Standards department. The delivery of the 'Learning Point' publication also provides a medium for capturing and sharing learning that has been identified through PIRC investigations and complaint handling reviews. This has been embedded in 'business as usual' processes and will provide a foundation for theoretical learning to be embedded in practical Policing operations. |
67 |
Police Scotland to provide training on engaging with individuals displaying mental ill-health symptoms or related behaviours. |
Police Scotland |
In progress Awaiting Sign off |
National mental health aide memoire under consultation. Training currently online and officer safety training to be reviewed. Input has been designed and is presently being finalised with Mental Health leads for Operational Command Training (newly promoted sergeants) on Leading Mental Health Incident, including best practice on leading incidents, detention, warrants, risk assessment and accessing treatment. PIRC staff have also completed mandatory training in relation to engaging with those who have experienced trauma and have received training inputs from Mental Health First Aiders. The Senior Management Team have taken part in Unconscious Bias training with Professional Standards department and rolled out an online module to staff. Further appropriate training is being identified. Operationally, PIRC also record the vulnerabilities of complainers to inform their work. |
PR3 |
Police Scotland to consider for employing more non‑police officer support staff in PSD. This is an option that Police Scotland may wish to ask HMICS to review. |
Police Scotland |
In progress |
Professional Standards department (PSD) are engaged in a Force-wide strategic workforce planning exercise directly examining the composition of the workforce on a needs analysis basis. Resourcing of PSD in the area of complaint handling will form part of that analysis. Commitment and progress to Organisational Design, Resources and Demand and Organisational Resilience as Organisational priorities will be included in reporting on Annual Policing Plan 2021‑22. |
PR17 |
Training for complaints and conduct officers in SPA to be consolidated to ensure up‑to‑date knowledge of complaint handling best practice |
SPA |
In progress |
SPA offer their staff the opportunity to attend Queen Margaret University's course in Complaints and Ombudsman Techniques which looks at how organisations can respond effectively to complaints and how they can learn from complaints. Discussions currently ongoing with partners to develop and implement a programme of training and personal development for SPA Complaints team, including access partner provisions where applicable. |
PR24 |
Following retirement of former police officers PIRC policy should be to replace them with non-police officers |
PIRC |
In progress |
PIRC is continuing to seek to attract employees from diverse backgrounds. It was acknowledged in final report that this would be a process that would take many years. In considering the composition of the PIRC workforce, there has to be a balance between the credibility of the PIRC as an effective investigative body and ensuring that public confidence is not affected by a perception of a close relationship between the investigator and those being investigated. |
The following is a list of recommendations within this theme which were signed off by the Ministerial Group as completed and featured in the Thematic Progress Report dated 24 June 2021:
Theme 7: Training and HR |
||
|---|---|---|
Recommendations |
Lead |
|
PR2 |
Police Scotland to review service‑wide capability of line managers, including the adequacy of training and support mechanisms |
Police Scotland |
PR4 |
Police Scotland to ensure that grievance matters are not artificially elevated and dealt with as conduct matters. |
Police Scotland |
PR9 |
Police Scotland to raise awareness of internal systems for mediation and grievance |
Police Scotland |
PR10 |
Police Scotland to provide officers in frontline resolution with training in mediation and customer handling. |
Police Scotland |
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