Report Summary
This report provides members of the Scottish Police Authority People Committee with oversight of strategic people related matters in the previous financial year (2025-26), referencing relevant papers that have been discussed / approved at the SPA Forensic Services Committee.
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Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
People Committee - 27 August 2026
Date : 27 August 2026
Location : Online
Strategic alignment detail
Strategic alignment to strategic police plan and other key enabling strategies
Strategic outcome(s)
Forensic Services Strategy 25-30 SO1- our people are empowered to provide excellent forensic services in a positive working environment
The SPA FS Forensic Strategy 2025-2030 sets out Forensic Services vision of scientific excellence for safer communities, and reflects the vital contribution forensic science makes to the delivery of justice across Scotland. Strategic Outcome 1 above and the supporting objectives focuses on our people:-
Develop our culture to ensure that everyone can be at their best, valuing our differences
Demonstrate inclusive leadership that promotes respect for all our people
Provides training and development that supports collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
Forensic Services are engaged with the Police Scotland Policing Together activity to identify opportunities for collaboration and joint working, recognising that our approach to inclusivity is intended to meet the needs of our highly scientific environment.
Alignment to risk register and risk appetite
Risk alignment
FS 212 - Workplace Culture
FS 104 - Management- Capability
People Risk Register
Health & Safety Risk Register
The People related Risk Register is maintained at a organisation level, with support from SPA Corporate and is reviewed through the internal People Board. The highest risk relates to workforce culture, and aligns to the staff survey and engagement feedback from our people with detailed mitigation identified and monitored through our People Plan and Staff Survey Action Plan.
In addition, with the significant movement and promotion of people within Forensic Services, it is important that we ensure that our managers and leaders are equipped to perform their people management responsibilities. Activity is being progressed to reduce the risk score.
Prior governance
Forensic Services People Board and supporting governance meetings
Forensic Services Committee
Internal scrutiny is in place with reporting to the internal Forensic Services People Board.
Key updates and specific papers are submitted to the Forensic Services Committee for discussion and approval, as outlined in this paper.
Stakeholder engagement
External/Internal engagement - Your Voice Matters Survey. Staff engagement through Staff Survey Working Group.
Police Scotland- HR and Health and Safety
Trade Unions and Diversity Staff Associations
Specific examples are noted in the main body of this report.
