Crime audit 2020

The Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland should ensure that the results of internal and external crime recording audits are publicly reported, including a statement of compliance in their joint Annual Report and Accounts from 2020/21 onwards.

Police Scotland should revise its current Crime Recording Strategy to focus on effective implementation and better consider the required level of cultural change required to improve SCRS compliance.

Police Scotland should review its overall approach to incident compliance, considering what constitutes best practice in quality assurance processes in C3, specialist units and front line policing, establishing clear relative roles and responsibilities.

Police Scotland should review crime management unit structures taking the opportunity to maximise the benefits of the new single national crime recording system.

Police Scotland should develop a comprehensive approach to organisational learning and training, with consistent approaches to the introduction of new or changes to legislation, to more effectively support delivery of its crime recording strategy.

It is recommended that the Police Scotland COS Programme review its approach to business change as part of the implementation of the new single national crime recording system, taking the opportunity to standardise and streamline business, audit and quality assurance processes.