Report raises 11 points for force and division

Local solutions for local problems and allowing area commanders to address communities’ needs key findings of an inspection of Police Scotland’s Greater Glasgow Division.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Mar 2019, 17:00 BST
While highlighting many positive aspects of the Greater Glasgow Division, the report also found that frontline officers felt disillusioned, under pressure and under-valued.While highlighting many positive aspects of the Greater Glasgow Division, the report also found that frontline officers felt disillusioned, under pressure and under-valued.
While highlighting many positive aspects of the Greater Glasgow Division, the report also found that frontline officers felt disillusioned, under pressure and under-valued.

In a report published by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS), the division’s commitment to partnership working and willingness to embrace change are highlighted.

Gill Imery QPM, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said: “Our inspection found many positive aspects to policing in Greater Glasgow Division. Enthusiasm for and willingness to change is apparent as is strong partnership working. It is the largest division in Scotland in terms of officer numbers and volume of crime and we found evidence of significant pressure on uniformed frontline officers and staff, as well as those working in public protection roles.”

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Issues proving to be testing for the division include an increase in reported sexual crime, resulting in heavy workloads for specialist officers and staff. Greater Glasgow also has the highest recorded numbers in Scotland of serious assaults and people carrying offensive weapons, with the lowest detection rates.

Mrs Imery added: “Steps are being taken to address these. However, it’s clear there are challenges in relation to a number of conventional crime types such as violence and the newer crimes of cyber and human trafficking.”

HMICS found the division is well managed with good structures in place and officers and staff motivated and committed to serving their communities. However, frontline staff report feeling disillusioned, under pressure and under-valued with competing demands for their time and lack of clarity of roles.

The report contains 11 recommendations for Police Scotland and Greater Glasgow Division and the force will be asked to create an action plan to address these and progress will be monitored by HMICS. Two further reports – an inspection of custody centres and a review of how the force resources events – will be published separately