Policing Together Oversight Group

MAIN ITEMS OF BUSINESS
- Policing Together Performance Update Report
- Policing Together Progress Report
- Sex & Gender Update Report
- Act Don’t React
- Sex Equality & Tackling Misogyny and Violence Against Women & Girls

KEY ISSUES RAISED

A 6-monthly Performance Report was presented which provided an overview of Police Scotland’s Policing Together progress and detailed the mainstreaming approach to equality, diversity and inclusion. Members were advised that the next 6 monthly report, covering Q1 & Q2 will be presented at the November 2025 meeting. Members provided positive feedback on the format and noted that it clearly articulates the progress made in this area, the current activity and stated it evidences Police Scotland’s determination to become anti-racist and anti-discriminatory. In discussion, Members requested that data in relation to user experience and assurance is displayed in a disaggregated format in future reporting.

The update from ACC Paton on the Policing Together Programme, initially focussed on the Learning pillar. Members were assured by the breadth of training provided to officers and encouraged by the positive feedback received in relation to the Policing in a Diverse Society (PIADS) training. However, the challenges around getting staff released from duties to undertake some training was highlighted. In terms of the Communities pillar, Members considered an update on the LGBTQI+ Police Scotland Citizens’ Panel Final Report. Members received an update on the refreshed EqHRIA process and commended the investment into improving and strengthening this area. An update was received following establishment of the Independent Policing Advisory Council (IPAC). It was agreed that Police Scotland would provide an overview to the Oversight Group of the subject matters being considered and the processes following the first IPAC meeting.

Members received an update on the implications for Police Scotland following the UK Supreme Court ruling on Sex & Gender. The update covered areas of business affected, terminology & data recording, single sex facilities and stop & search. The Oversight Group received assurance that a FAQ document is being produced to support colleagues. Members were reassured by the way in which Police Scotland have approached Sex & Gender considerations and noted the commitment from Police Scotland to work to ensure all Police Officers and Staff feel a sense of ‘belonging’ in the workplace.

The Oversight Group watched the Police Scotland Act Don’t React video. This gave an overview of what the 3-day course entails. Members were supportive of the course and found it encouraging that Police Officers were receiving training to approach situations in a way that was backed by behavioural science. ACC Paton invited Members to the World Suicide Prevention Day Event on 10 September 2025 at Tulliallan. This was subsequently attended by Members Tom Halpin and Chris Creegan.

Police Scotland’s Independent Review Group Deep Dive Report into Sex Equality and Tackling Misogyny & Violence Against Women and Girls, which was published online on 26 August 2025 via an FOI request, was discussed by Members. This provided an opportunity to ascertain why this report hadn’t been published or shared with the SPA prior to it being reported in the media.

ACC Paton explained that the Final IRG Report referred to in the Policing Together Oversight Group Chair’s report to the SPA Board in August 2024, referenced this further deep dive, but it was submitted after the Final IRG Report was received. To ensure full public transparency, the Final IRG Report was published online by Police Scotland on the same day.

ACC Paton emphasised the importance of transparency in the approach to Policing Together being taken by Police Scotland, from the public statement made by the then Chief Constable and throughout the ongoing work of the Policing Together programme. The detailed Deep Dive report itself was then shared with Police Scotland as a standalone document shortly after the Final report was received. ACC Paton advised that the recommendations articulated in the Deep Dive report aligned with the SETM Action Plan and all have since been mapped across to the Policing Together Implementation Plan (Containing 16 Master Actions and 75 tasks from all reports, audits, surveys and inspections). Police Scotland were comfortable that the Deep Dive report did not raise any matters that were not already being considered and / or progressed. Assurance was given that Police Scotland is committed to maintaining momentum in addressing these issues and implementing the recommendations.

The Oversight Group expressed that it was unfortunate this standalone report was not shared with them sooner. However, Members felt assured by ACC Paton’s reasonings and noted that the issues detailed in the Deep Dive report had been captured and will continue to be discussed openly at this forum.

CONCLUSIONS/ACTIONS REACHED

• Members expressed positive feedback on the format the 6-monthly Policing Together Report and look forward to receiving the Q1 and Q2 2025/26 report in November 2025.
• Regarding the 6-monthly Policing Together Report, it was requested that data in relation to user experience and assurance is displayed in a disaggregated format in future reporting.
• The Oversight Group were assured by the breadth of training available to Officers and Staff.
• Police Scotland to provide an overview to the Oversight Group of the subject matters being considered and the processes following the first IPAC meeting.
• Members were updated on how the UK Supreme Court’s ruling on Sex & Gender affects Police Scotland and were assured by the approach taken to address these considerations.
• Police Scotland were given an opportunity to address the unpublished report in relation to the Police Scotland Independent Review Group Deep Dive Report into Sex Equality and Tackling Misogyny & Violence Against Women and Girls.