POLICING TOGETHER PROGRESS REPORT

Members considered the report which provided an update on Police Scotland’s Policing Together progress and evidences the mainstreaming approach to equality, diversity, and inclusion. ACCPaton provided a detailed summary of the key points detailed in the paper.

In discussion the following matters were raised:
• Policing Together Oversight Group (PTOG) Chair Tom Halpin commented that the Authority have seen the realignment of a whole policing division for policing together, demonstrating a structural shift with a dedicated Chief Officer. He confirmed the Oversight Group felt there was progress, and they were starting to see data on difficult issues. He had confidence that Police Scotland have ownership of the issue. As the PTOG Chair, he confirmed he had a high degree of confidence in the policing together portfolio.
• Members sought further comment on progress made in response to results from the Your Voice Matters survey and community engagement. ACCPaton responded that seeking to understand experiences helped determine the institutional issues which then helped determine how policies and procedures could be improved. The result of that work is the four pillars: leadership, training, communication and prevention and there is a programme of activity to respond to each which is reported through the PTOG. ACCPaton advised that the ‘Act, don’t react’ programme helps provide staff with the ability and confidence to call out unacceptable behaviour. Members were told that user satisfaction results indicate that people identifying as LGBTQI+ have a less positive experience of policing therefore the policing together team are working with the engagement and insights team to identify a better way of engaging with that group. A workshop was held where recommendations could be shared, which was a new way of engaging with communities who are seldom heard. DCCConnors added that survey feedback is reviewed monthly to identify areas of interest.
• Members questioned how the service is using established networks to gain insight and if there have been specific changes introduced as a direct result of those initiatives. ACCPaton responded that partnerships and engagements with networks is key, and any changes that come out of these networks are taken forward in a formal way with impact assessments. Members heard that understanding lived experience through established networks has helped develop the corporate parenting plan, and community engagement tools help monitor community tension.
• ACCPaton assured Members that Police Scotland are on track to achieve milestones as a solid foundation has been built supported by investment.
• Comment was sought on ensuring there was impartiality in policing. ACCPaton explained that impartiality in policing was not a new concept but has come to the forefront more as views become of more polarised. She explained that polarising views requires connecting and listening to understand perspectives and then using that to demonstrate if policing has to take a position.

Members noted the report.