No crisis in Scotland, insists watchdog

There is “no crisis in policing” in Scotland despite the current situation with complaints against chief officers, the force’s watchdog has said.

Derek Penman, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland (HMCICS), said he believes Police Scotland is well served by the many senior officers, team leaders and support staff managers who provide essential day-to-day leadership across the country.

The troubled force is currently without some of its most senior staff, with Chief Constable Phil Gormley placed on “special leave” in September as allegations of gross misconduct are investigated, and Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins suspended by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) in November.

Mr Gormley and Mr Higgins, head of armed policing in Scotland, deny any wrongdoing.

In his annual report for 201617, which looks at the performance of Police Scotland and the SPA, Mr Penman said: “Despite the current situation with chief officer complaints, I agree with the view of the Scottish Police Federation that there is currently no crisis in policing.”

Mr Penman said operational performance remains strong for the fourth year of the single service, which was formally established on April 1 2013, with crime at its lowest since 1974.

While there have been sustained reductions in most types of crime, there was a 5% increase in reported sexual crimes in 2016-17, and around a fifth of those recorded included the use of the internet.

Non-sexual crimes of violence increased for a second consecutive year – by 6%.

Mr Penman welcomed the 10-year strategy for policing in Scotland, Policing 2026, and the three-year implementation plan that was presented to the SPA earlier this month.

Derek Penman says there is no crisis in policing.