Frontline focus review of tools of the trade

1. HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) committed to conduct a frontline focus review to help improve the delivery of frontline policing services across Scotland.

2. It is anticipated that this review will have particular relevance for officers and staff in frontline roles, focusing on the tools of the trade for officers and staff working in the operational environment.

3. The term frontline can mean different things to different people. We chose the commonly used and accepted definition used in the Police visibility: Demanding times - His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services report:

“The police front line comprises those who are in everyday contact with the public and who directly intervene to keep people safe and enforce the law.”

4. The aim of this frontline focus review was to assess:

• How well equipped frontline operational officers and staff are to perform their roles (with an emphasis on uniform and equipment).
• Whether frontline officers and staff have ready access to appropriate data to help them perform their roles.

5. For the purposes of this review, we focused on officers in local policing divisions who carry out response, community policing and criminal investigation department (CID) roles. We also included staff who engage directly with members of the public in front counter and custody roles.

6. We considered the uniform and equipment issued to police officers and staff. We did not specifically consider uniform and equipment issued to specialist officers and staff, for example, firearms officers and mountain rescue teams. That said, uniform issued to specialist officers was regularly mentioned by frontline officers during our review and, as such, it is referenced in our report.

7. We also considered whether the uniform and equipment provided to frontline officers is meeting the needs of officers and staff who have protected characteristics. To assist our review, we engaged with trade unions and staff associations, including diversity staff associations.

8. The intended outcomes from this review, and its publication, are to help improve the overall effectiveness of the uniform and equipment issued to frontline officers and staff.