Lone cops will prove to women they’re genuine by putting radio on loudspeaker
New Police Scotland protocols after Sarah Everard horror
POLICE Scotland yesterday implemented sweeping changes to the way officers interact with vulnerable citizens following outrage over the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving policeman in London.
The force announced that a new verification process would be introduced immediately to reassure frightened women and others that they are dealing with a genuine police officer.
Ms Everard, 33, was kidnapped, raped and murdered in March this year by Wayne Couzens, 48, a member of the Metropolitan Police.
It emerged in court last week the predator had used the pretext of legally enforcing Covid-19 restrictions to apprehend his victim.
Subsequently, there was widespread derision at advice issued south of the Border that women confronted by someone who says they are a police officer should flag down a bus if they fear for their safety.
Other advice suggested women should shout to a passer-by, call 999 to verify an officer’s identity or run to a house and knock on the door.
Yesterday, in a swift intervention, Police Scotland said it was immediately ringing the changes in order to encourage greater confidence in its 17,289 officers.
Police Scotland said it was ‘rare’ for one of its officers to be operating on their own but, if it did happen in future, a new ‘verification’ process would be available to anyone who wished to use it.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said yesterday: ‘Although police officers normally work in pairs in Scotland, and it is very rare for a lone police officer to approach a member of the public, there are occasions when this could happen.
‘The new process, introduced on
Saturday, October 2, will allow for the officer’s personal radio to be put on loudspeaker and for an officer or member of police staff in a Police Scotland control room to confirm that the officer is who they say they are, that they are on duty and the reason the officer is speaking to the member of the public.
‘The control room will then create an incident number which can be displayed on the officer’s mobile phone or radio to confirm the broadcast message details.’
In the even rarer situation where a lone off-duty officer has to become involved in an incident, the officer will call 999 and allow the member of the public to speak to the control room on the phone. Uniformed colleagues will also be dispatched as quickly as possible.
Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr said: ‘Our officers work, on a daily basis and across every community in Scotland, with absolute professionalism to protect the vulnerable and keep people safe in line with our core values of integrity, fairness and respect and a commitment to upholding human rights.
‘Public confidence and consent is critical to our legitimacy.’
He added: ‘The appalling circumstances of Sarah Everard’s murder have deeply affected people and many are now understandably concerned about verifying an officer’s identity. Police officers will, of course, continue to approach any member of the public who appears distressed or vulnerable, to offer support and assistance.
‘However, although it is rare for a lone police officer to have to speak to a member of the public in Scotland, we absolutely recognise our responsibility to introduce an additional means of verification to provide further reassurance to anyone, in particular women who may feel vulnerable, and who might be concerned if they find themselves in this situation.
‘The onus is on us, as a police service, to proactively offer this additional verification process to any member of the public who appears distressed, vulnerable or frightened. Police officers always carry photographic identification and will be happy to provide further reassurance about who they are and their reason for speaking with someone if requested.’
Couzens was handed a full life sentence last week for what Lord Justice Fulford called his ‘grotesque’ crimes.