This inspection, which forms part of our published scrutiny programme, aims to assess the state, effectiveness and efficiency of local policing in Dumfries and Galloway Division. It is the fourth inspection in our Local Policing+ Inspection Programme.
Each inspection focuses on specific issues that are topical at that point in time or are particularly relevant to the local area. During our inspection of Dumfries and Galloway Division, we examined in greater detail the division’s management of cross-boundary crime and have reported our findings relating to cross-boundary crime under the ‘partnerships’ section of this report.
During our inspections of each local policing division in Scotland, we also take the opportunity to inspect police custody facilities located in that division. On this occasion we have inspected the primary custody facilities at Dumfries and Stranraer, as well as visiting all eight ancillary custody centres across the division. These regular inspections of custody contribute to the United Kingdom’s response to its international obligations under the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). We have reported our findings at Part 2 of this report.
We carried out our inspection between November 2015 and February 2016.
Number | Recommendation |
|---|---|
1 | The Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland should complete their planned review of scenes of crime examination call out processes at the earliest opportunity to ensure that the service provided focuses on the needs of victims. |
2 | Police Scotland should review the sustainability of its specialist support operating model. This should include consideration of where specialist resources should be geographically located to support demand and also identification of which specialist skills could better be delivered within local policing divisions. |
3 | Police Scotland should review the resourcing of outstanding corporate reviews and expedite their implementation. |
4 | Police Scotland should ensure that professional leadership, support, process standardisation and development pathways are in place for each corporate function centrally, even if management is local. It should also ensure that local support functions work effectively together as a virtual unit to ensure that local divisions receive the required level of flexibility. |
Custody 1 | Custody Division should monitor the length of time immigration detainees spend in police custody and, where necessary, liaise with relevant partner organisations to minimise the duration of their stay. |
Custody 2 | Custody Division should consider rationalising the ancillary custody estate in Dumfries and Galloway, taking into account any impact on local policing. |
Custody 3 | If the ancillary custody centre at Sanquhar is to remain open, Custody Division should ensure that the water damage to the cells is repaired and new windows are installed. |