HMICS Assurance review of Conduct and Discipline

Areas for improvement

Number

Senior leaders must consistently exemplify the standards of professional behaviour expected within Police Scotland. This area should be specifically monitored in the annual staff survey, to support improvements in leadership behaviours and organisational confidence.

1

As part of its new Human Resources Case Management Structure, Police Scotland should ensure that there are clear and robust processes in place for recording and assessing reports of potential wrongdoing for police staff.

2

Police Scotland should use targeted communication and training initiatives to boost awareness of whistleblowing legislation, associated protections and reporting mechanisms.

3

Police Scotland should continue consultation with staff associations and trade unions to agree on a process for reinstating with-cause drug testing for police staff.

4

Police Scotland’s PSD and HR should work collaboratively with other departments to identify and act upon organisational learning emerging from conduct and disciplinary cases. The identification of learning opportunities should be a continuous process built into the review of each case.

5

Police Scotland should improve its analysis of misconduct and disciplinary data to identify opportunities for targeted prevention and more innovative engagement with officers and staff. Additional analytical support would strengthen this work.

6