PC MADNESS!
Virtue signalling of job ads for top cops... that only mention ‘crime’ once in 20 pages
NEW adverts for top jobs at Police Scotland have come under fire – because they seek ‘emotionally intelligent’ senior officers to help lead the crisis-hit force.
Astonishingly, a 20-page information pack for candidates for two deputy chief constable and two assistant chief constable posts mentions crime only once.
Instead, it suggests that a key skill should be ‘adopting emotionally intelligent behaviours’. Applicants should also be ‘emotionally aware’ and ‘culturally sensitive’.
The new deputy chief constables get a generous starting salary of £176,490 and the assistant chief constables will begin on £119,670.
The recruitment drive comes just weeks after Chief Constable Phil Gormley resigned amid mounting allegations of gross misconduct.
The top role has not yet been advertised but Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone – who has taken over leadership until further notice – is a front-runner to become Scotland’s new police chief.
In her opening letter to potential candidates, Susan Deacon, chairman of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) – responsible for the hiring and firing of chief officers – says: ‘This is an exciting and dynamic time for the UK’s second largest police service and we need exceptional leaders.
‘They are demanding and high profile positions which are both challenging and rewarding.’
The long-winded ‘person specification’ in the information pack states: ‘How we conduct ourselves in our service and the values that underpin our behaviour are a key part of our thought processes and relationships.
‘Empathy means listening carefully to and understanding what is important to others – the public, colleagues and partners – in order to respond sensitively.’
It adds: ‘Adopting emotionally intelligent behaviours also means valuing diversity and differences in approaches to work, in thinking and in people’s backgrounds.
‘We are culturally sensitive and seek to understand different perspectives, acting with sensitivity, compassion and warmth.’ ‘Crime’ appears only once in the document – on page six, which claims ‘recorded crime in Scotland is at a 44-year low’.
The only reference to ‘criminal’ is on page 17, where applicants are advised they must disclose any outstanding ‘complaints, criminal convictions, investigations or disciplinary proceedings’.
‘Violence’, ‘terrorism’, ‘murder’ and ‘knife’ are not referred to at all.
Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: ‘The single force must surely have tackling crime as far and away the number one priority. People may feel that should be the primary consideration.’ James Price, campaign manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘The lack of focus on crime is disturbing and adds to the sense of worry that their priorities are out of whack with what taxpayers expect.
‘We want the police to focus on tackling crime and keeping us safe, not questionable hiring priorities.’
Former chief constable of Grampian Colin McKerracher, who retired following the introduction of the single force, voiced concerns that new deputies and assistants were being recruited before the new force leader.
He said: ‘They are showing a total lack of respect and trust in picking his or her team. The chief should be the person who ultimately says this candidate is right for the job.’
A spokesman for the SPA claimed the body was adopting the language of the College of Policing in England, adding: ‘Police Scotland’s purpose is to improve the safety and wellbeing of people, places and communities.
‘We are looking for senior officers with substantial operational responsibility and influence to contribute to that aim and help shape the future of policing in Scotland.’
Police Scotland has a workforce of 22,000 and a budget of £1 billion.
‘Total lack of respect and trust’