It’s not ideal: Unit chief addressed concerns
Police Scotland has been involved in training police forces all over the world, frequently in countries where human rights have been repeatedly abused by the authorities.
In 2018 the senior officer then in charge of that training said the force understood those concerns – but said it was important to continue to engage with these countries to improve standards there. Superintendent Shaun Mckillop, then head of Police Scotland’s International Development and Innovation Unit, said: “I understand the concerns. We absolutely understand.” Scotland’s involvement with training Sri Lankan officers began in 2007 and expanded in 2009 after the nation’s 26-year civil war ended.
Two years ago, Superintendent Mckillop told The Sunday Post: “Sri Lanka remains one of the key places for the UK Government, so we continue to work for them through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund.” When asked why torture remained a problem nearly a decade after Police Scotland began its work in Sri Lanka, Mckillop said it was important to keep engaging with the country.
He said: “The British High Commission review our training on a regular basis, as well as our own monitoring.
“We understand the concerns, and have regular conversation with the British High Commission and Sri Lankan Police.
“It’s not ideal but we will continue to work and do what we can to improve that situation.” He said that in every country the force works with: “We make it clear that any work we’ll be doing is human rights compliant.”