Chief Constable's Report

Members considered two reports: the Chief Constable’s Report which provided detail relating to the Police Service, policing, and the state of crime; and the Chief Constable’s Annual Assessment of Policing in Scotland. Chief Constable Jo Farrell (CCFarrell) highlighted a number of key points as detailed in both papers.

In addition to the report, the following points were also raised by CCFarrell:
• Chris Brown was congratulated on his appointment as the new SPA Chief Executive.
• CCFarrell referenced progress on the national conversation on live facial recognition, noting Police Scotland co-hosted the Scottish Biometrics conference in June 2024, a live facial recognition event in May 2025 and have held five focus groups with various organisations. CCFarrell advised there were more steps to take to develop a live facial recognition capability, including further stakeholder and public engagement, developing a business case, policy and operating procedures, and identifying necessary financial support. This will ensure the use of the technology is governed in an appropriate, proportionate and necessary way.
• An update on searching relating to sex and gender was provided, with CCFarrell reiterating that Police Scotland’s review of sex and gender continues to consider all views, legislation, guidance and legal advice. Based on specialist human rights legal advice and staff association and trade union engagement, interim guidance has been developed and issued on searching in custody or as part of a stop and search. CCFarrell confirmed conduct searches in custody or as part of a stop and search interaction which involve the removal of more than an outer jacket, gloves, headgear or footwear, will be carried out on the basis of biological sex. These searches will only be carried out by officers or staff of the same biological sex with one exception: when an individual whose lived gender differs from their biological sex requests to be searched by an officer of their lived gender. In these circumstances, efforts will be made to ensure an appropriate officer conducts the search, if operationally viable, and written consent will be required from the authorising officer, the person to be searched and the officer(s) conducting the search. CCFarrell confirmed the interim guidance requires transgender officers and staff to search in line with their biological sex but it is recognised that transgender colleagues may wish to exempt themselves from these searches to avoid disclosing their gender identity, and the operational practice permits officers to be excused from searches for a variety of reasons. CCFarrell stated that the guidance objectives are to preserve people’s dignity, ensure Police Scotland’s officers and staff are acting lawfully and in line with the Equality Act and the Human Rights Act and to protect officers and staff from potential challenge.

In discussion the following matters were raised:
• Regarding the update within the report to policing our communities, Members sought further comment on governance arrangements, response policing implications and community impacts. DCC Jane Connors (DCCConnors) explained the governance arrangements, stating that the project has both a project and programme board and is also discussed at the Policing Management Board and the Transformation Board. It is anticipated the full business case will come to the Resources Committee. Members heard it will be launched in Forth Valley in September and from October will be launched in two divisions at a time. There are a number of interdependencies such as mental health, court attendance and force mobilisation, all which will help strengthen the service. DCC Bex Smith (DCCSmith) added it was important to understand the interdependencies to help with transition and transformation. DCCConnors explained that local investigation hubs will help improve victim support, improve investigation quality and ensure essential visibility. Members heard response times will be improved and capacity from other areas of policing will help resource the local policing teams. Members were assured on the impact on officers and staff, hearing evaluation will happen through officer feedback and workforce surveys.
• Members questioned what the impact of the Public Sector Reform Strategy will be on Police Scotland. CCFarrell stated that reform was not just about financial savings but creating new capabilities. DCC Alan Speirs (DCCSpeirs) added that the ability to be joined up with partners is embedded within the three-year plan and vision. Members also heard the Best Value Audit will highlight successes and some critical learning.
• Members sought further comment on sharing efficiencies with criminal justice partners. CCFarrell advised further work would be undertaken but one area progressed is the use of direct measures, such as recorded police warnings, to bring about quicker justice and summary case management. CCFarrell provided examples such as the reduction of cases sent to Crown Office and the increased capacity brought about from seeking voluntary attendance.
• Members sought assurance that a rights-based pathway is applied when selecting and operating new technology. CCFarrell responded that a rights-based pathway will be used during engagement and development of introducing live facial recognition technology. CCFarrell stated she understood there would be questions around AI bias and equity therefore the organisation will continually reinforce and evidence that technology is being deployed in an ethical and proportionate manner. DCCSmith assured Members that any new technology and use of AI would be person focused, and trauma informed.
• Members referred to the number of interdependencies against the estates masterplan and sought comment on how work is prioritised. DCCSmith responded that local community demand, workforce mix, and new technology need to be understood to help make decisions on estates as all are interlinked. Therefore, the estates masterplan is built into the transformation plan. CCFarrell advised that two priority areas are custody provision and front-line response estate in the west of Scotland.
• Alasdair Hay, Policing Performance Committee Chair, summarised the recent Committee discussion on the sex and gender review. Noting the recent publication of the interim guidance, he sought clarity on whether Police Scotland had completed an audit of estate for single sex spaces, what support and training had been offered for searching transgender members of public and by transgender officers, as well as expected timelines for completion of the Short Life Working Group (SLWG). CCFarrell advised that Police Scotland had had experience of rolling out new guidance, citing the Hate Crime legislation guidance as an example. She ensured Members all staff and officers could seek guidance either on the phone or online if required. Recognising there is considerable interest in the area, a detailed communication plan had been circulated about how officers gain advice. DCCSpeirs added there was a deliberate decision to wait until the National Police Chief Council introduced their guidance so that Police Scotland could take learning. DCCSpeirs confirmed that an estates audit has been undertaken, and work is continuing to respond to the outcomes. Members heard the SLWG is still continuing but the organisation was in the final phases of concluding work on internal policies.
• With regards to searching, Members sought assurance that steps had been taken to adequately address the level of operational risk, and that engagement would continue at pace, with views taken from the widest possible range of stakeholders. CCFarrell responded all work is undertaken with fairness, dignity and respect at its heart and feedback and engagement with transgender officers and staff will be a continual process. DCCSpeirs added that the Policing Together portfolio had allowed Police Scotland to introduce opportunities for statutory and non-statutory staff associations to engage. Daily conversations regarding sex and gender are taking place with some. Members paid credit to Police Scotland for the work and effort undertaken in the area and the progress made.

Members noted the report.