Policing Performance Committee

Main items of business
• Policing Performance Reporting
• Operational Matters
• Partnership & Community Focus
• Oversight of Improvement in Policing

Policing Performance Reporting

The Committee expressed disappointment that Police Scotland were unable to submit their Annual Assurance of Operational Policing Matters report on time and the lateness of the Live Facial Recognition paper. The Annual Assurance of Operational Policing Matters report will therefore be presented at the 16 September 2025 PPC.

The Q4 Policing Performance Report was discussed at length. Areas of focus for Committee oversight and scrutiny included youth violence, antisocial behaviour, assaults on police officers & staff, crime detection rates, missing persons investigations, retail crime, fraud, road fatalities and stop and search. The Committee requested that in future reporting, the data pertaining to antisocial behaviour is displayed in a disaggregated format.

The Committee considered the Chief Constable's Annual Assessment. The 1 red milestone was highlighted, assurance was sought and received that Police Scotland will monitor and report the progress towards delivering the milestones on a quarterly basis to avoid slippage.
Members reflected that the Annual Assessment would be further enhanced if direct assessment of progress toward the Strategic Police Plan Outcomes was included.

Operational Matters
The Committee received an update in respect of the work conducted as part of the Police Scotland, Scottish Police Authority and Scottish Biometrics Commissioner’s National Conversation on Live Facial Recognition. There was extensive discussion regarding the timeline for making a decision on possible implementation and the critical need to consider in a balanced way the concerns raised by key stakeholders around the human rights, equality and ethical implications of the potential adoption of LFR technology with the protections from harm it offers to citizens. The Committee felt assured that all voices were being given the opportunity to be heard in discussions and ultimately, the decision in relation to adopting this technology is for the Chief Constable but it must be proportionate, justifiable and explainable.

Partnership & Community Focus
Councillor Maureen Chalmers, COSLA Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing, provided updates on the Hate Crime Toolkit, the COSLA ‘A Call for Civility in Public Life’ round table event held on 28 May 2025, the Sentencing & Penal Policy Commission, the National Joint Investigative Interviewing Project and the COSLA and Scottish Government joint Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. It was agreed that the Hate Crime Toolkit would be shared with PPC Members off table in draft form.

Members considered an update on Police Scotland’s position regarding Trauma Informed Practice and the future plans to create and deliver a plan to embed this practice into the whole organisation. Members sought and received assurance around the timescale to train the 4,200 officers to achieve ‘trauma-enhanced’ status. Further assurance was provided as ACC Paton advised that in future all front-line officers and staff will receive this training. The Committee requested that the Trauma Informed Practice Implementation plan is presented at a future PPC.

Oversight of Improvement in Policing
Members received an update in respect of the on-going review in relation to policy and practice to recording Sex and Gender within Police Scotland. The pace at which Police Scotland are carrying out this work was questioned and whether the Supreme Court judgement ruling has been adopted into Police Scotland’s policies. The Committee were advised that time is being taken to consider all relevant legislation, national guidance and stakeholder feedback in order to ensure proposals are well-informed and evidence based. ACC Paton advised that the focus on this work began with understanding how this data is captured and recorded and emphasised Police Scotland’s approach of ‘doing it once and doing it right’. The Committee look forward to receiving an update at a future meeting detailing tangible progress.

Members received an overview of progress in terms of improved service delivery against a range of improvement plans developed to address HMICS recommendations, this report had a specific focus on Custody. The Committee took assurance from the update that the recommendations are being appropriately prioritised and addressed to ensure custody continues to be a safe environment where detainees are treated fairly, with dignity and respect.

Brian McInulty, Assistant Inspector of Constabulary, and Lead Inspector, Ray Jones, presented the findings from the Custody Inspection Report for Greater Glasgow.

Members considered the Independent Custody Visitor’s Scheme of Scotland Annual Report. The Committee heard from Mr Frankie Lydon an independent custody visitor and thanked him and all visitors for their invaluable work. The Committee were assured that no concerns were raised in relation to the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in this reporting period.

Conclusions Reached

Annual Assurance of Operational Policing Matters report to be presented at the 16 September 2025 PPC.

Police Scotland to report on 2030 Vision milestone progress on a quarterly basis.

The Committee requested that data relating to antisocial behaviour is displayed in a disaggregated manner in future quarterly policing performance reporting.

Members noted the wide-reaching engagement conducted by Police Scotland, SPA and the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner with regard to the Live Facial Recognition National Conversation and acknowledged that ultimately operational decision-making lies with Police Scotland and the Chief Constable.

COSLA Hate Crime Toolkit to be shared with PPC Members off table in draft form.

Members requested that the Trauma Informed Practice Implementation plan presented is presented at a PPC.