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Scotland's Police Authority Urged to Improve Tackling Discrimination and Violence Against Women

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Policing in Scotland has faced significant challenges in the past year, including rising public expectations, budget constraints, and a noticeable rise in mental health-related issues. Despite these hurdles, Police Scotland has performed commendably, particularly in Operation Unicorn following the late Queen's death. However, the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland have been urged to improve their efforts in tackling institutional discrimination and violence against women and girls within their ranks and wider society.

Key Takeaways:

  • The HM chief inspector of constabulary in Scotland, Craig Naylor, has praised Police Scotland and the retiring chief constable Sir Iain Livingstone for their work but urged them to do more in addressing institutional discrimination and violence against women and girls.
  • Police Scotland has faced challenges in the past 12 months, including budget constraints, cultural issues, and a noticeable rise in mental health-related cases.
  • The police force has been credited for its work during Operation Unicorn, but the Scottish Police Authority and Police Scotland have been urged to improve their efforts in tackling institutional discrimination and violence against women and girls.
  • Police Scotland's Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor QPM emphasized the force's commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, maintaining high standards of safeguarding, and driving inclusion.
  • The force is increasing its knowledge and learning on inclusion and challenging its own policies and procedures to eradicate unwitting bias.
  • The Scottish Police Authority Chairman, Martyn Evans, highlighted the significant contribution made by Sir Iain Livingstone during his lengthy career and the importance of HMICS in driving improvement and building trust and confidence in policing in Scotland.

Statistics:

  • Over the past 12 months, Police Scotland has faced significant challenges, including budget constraints, cultural issues, and a noticeable rise in mental health-related cases.
  • According to the latest report, many of the issues undermining policing in England and Wales "have touched on Scotland".
  • In the past 12 months, Scotland has seen a rise in the impact of dealing with those experiencing poor mental health.
  • Police Scotland has been credited for its work during Operation Unicorn, with a successful police response to the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

Sources:

  • "Report: HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland's annual report 2022/2023" (HMICS, 2023)
  • Interview with Craig Naylor, HM chief inspector of constabulary in Scotland (HMICS)
  • Interview with Fiona Taylor QPM, Deputy Chief Constable, Police Scotland (Police Scotland)
  • Interview with Martyn Evans, Chairman, Scottish Police Authority (Scottish Police Authority)
  • "HM chief inspector of constabulary in Scotland's annual report 2022/2023" (HMICS, 2023)

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