Policing In Scotland Research Articles

‘I’m not going to leave someone to die’: carriage of naloxone by police in Scotland within a public health framework: a qualitative study of acceptability and experiences

BackgroundScotland has one of the highest rates of drug-related deaths (DRDs) per capita in Europe, the majority of which involve opioids. Naloxone is a medication used to reverse opioid-related overdoses. In efforts to tackle escalating DRDs in many countries, naloxone is increasingly being provided to people who are likely first responders in overdose situations. This includes non-healthcare professionals, such as police officers. A pilot exercise to test the carriage and administration of naloxone by police officers was conducted in selected areas of Scotland between March and October 2021. The aim of the study was to explore the acceptability and experiences of naloxone carriage and administration by police in Scotland.MethodsThe study comprised of two stages. Stage 1 involved in-depth one-to-one qualitative interviews with 19 community stakeholders (people with lived experience, family members, support workers). Stage 2 involved a mixture of in-depth one-to-one interviews and focus groups with 41 police officers. Data were analysed thematically, and the findings from the two stages were triangulated to develop overarching themes and subthemes.ResultsBy the end of the pilot, 808 police officers had been trained in the use of intranasal naloxone. Voluntary uptake of naloxone kits among police officers who completed training was 81%. There were 51 naloxone administration incidents recorded by police officers at suspected opioid-related overdose incidents during the pilot. Most officers shared positive experiences of naloxone administration. Naloxone as a first aid tool suited their role as first responders and their duty and desire to preserve life. Perceived barriers included concerns about police undertaking health-related work, potential legal liabilities and stigmatising attitudes. The majority of participants (and all community stakeholders) were supportive of the pilot and for it to be expanded across Scotland.ConclusionsPolice carriage of naloxone is an acceptable and potentially valuable harm reduction tool to help tackle the DRDs crisis in Scotland. However, it requires appropriate integration with existing health and social care systems. The intervention lies at the intersection between public health and policing and implies a more explicit public health approach to policing.

Running an ostler? Exploring the use of stop and search tactics at Scottish football matches

ABSTRACT There has been a plethora of literature detailing the detrimental impact of police stop and search tactics (S&S) on police-community relationships and police legitimacy, as well as recent controversy surrounding football policing in Scotland. Yet, the recent controversies, and subsequent reform of S&S in Scotland has yet to trigger any meaningful discussion about the use of search tactics at football matches. The aim of this research was to explore the relationship between S&S at football matches and police-supporter relationships. This research utilized qualitative methodologies in the form of semi-structured interviews with police officers and football supporters. This study found, that S&S, in the context of football, did not affect police-supporter relationships in the same way as traditional S&S. This paper offers two reasons: the difference in S&S implementation, and a broader acceptance of ‘criminalizing’ practice among fans wherein specific practices are perceived as the cost of participation in football fandom.

Bridging the Gap? Police Volunteering and Community Policing in Scotland

Abstract This article examines how far special constables can act as the ‘bridge’ between police services and local communities, within the context of Scottish policing. I consider the literature around the core concepts of community policing, the condition of community policing Scotland, and the role that volunteer police officers can play in enhancing local policing. Then, I draw upon the findings from qualitative interviews and observations of special constables in one division of Police Scotland, to explore the nature of the special constabulary as a potential resource in community and local policing. Finally, I consider these findings in relation to the ongoing discussions of special constables’ contribution to community policing, and how policing organizations might seek to enhance that contribution. This article, I believe, provides a unique contribution to the currently small but emerging field of research within police volunteerism, and brings the perspective of Scottish special constables to these discussions which have been primarily Anglo-centric.

This Service Terminates Here? Politics, Practitioner Perspectives, and the Future of Railway Policing in Scotland

Abstract Following the devolution of railway policing under the Scotland Act 2016, the Railway Policing (Scotland) Act 2017 set in motion a process that, if completed, will see the British Transport Police's Scottish Division integrated into Scotland’s relatively new national police force, Police Scotland. The post-legislative journey has, however, proven far more challenging than supporters of integration envisaged. Drawing upon primary and secondary data, this article investigates the integration process to date and shows how a politicized and poorly managed transition programme left employees disillusioned, and fostered a deep strain of mistrust towards the project. With escalating costs, a lack of practitioner buy-in, the potential loss of experienced officers and staff, longer-term risks to the remaining BTP organization, and no clear evidence of benefits, the article concludes that the Scottish Government should call off full integration and consider an alternative approach towards the devolution of railway policing.

Treading the Front-Line: Tartanization and Police–Academic Partnerships

AbstractRecognized as an International Leader in the development of Police Academic Collaborations, the Scottish Institute of Police Research has had a key role in contributing to evidence-based approaches in policing, supporting a strategic approach to innovation, as well as, contributing to education, professional development, and organizational learning. The aim of this article is to examine the particular relevance of this partnership in shaping both the recent professionalization and educational agenda of policing in Scotland. It will critically explore these collaborative efforts, particularly in relation to the development of Higher Educational Routes into the service and suggest that while there are benefits to this partnership approach, a co-operative rather than collaborative style emerged in this specific case study. The potential reasons for this co-operative approach as well as the implications for the development of Higher Education routes for police officers in Scotland will be discussed.

Plural policing in Europe: relationships and governance in contemporary security systems

ABSTRACTReferences to ‘plural policing’, ‘policing beyond the police’ and the ‘extended policing family’ are now commonplace in many discussions of policing in late modern societies. There is a danger that claims about the dynamic and changing nature of plural policing themselves become a new orthodoxy and begin to lose a sense of local nuance and recognition of the importance of place-based specificity and context in understanding the particularities of policing. It is this need to unpack the complex ways in which contemporary plural policing is now configured at a local level within different national political environments that provides the underpinning rationale for this Special Issue. Focussing on aspects of relationships and governance in six jurisdictions across northern and western Europe, it provides important insights into how the policies, practices and narratives around plural policing reflect the influence of particular histories and geographies. The first three articles are focused primarily on the relationships which have emerged in the public sector through its own processes of pluralisation, in particular, through the introduction of policing auxiliaries or municipal policing in Scotland, England and The Netherlands. The fourth article considers both relationships and governance in pluralised policing in Paris, France. A detailed analysis of the governance of safety and security is taken up in the final two articles, examining the cases of Austria and Belgium. These articles clearly demonstrate that experiences of pluralised policing vary widely within Europe and call into question the assumed dominance of neo-liberal forces in this area.

From Theorizing Radicalization to Surveillance Practices: Muslims in the Cross Hairs of Scrutiny

There are several psychological analyses of the processes of radicalization resulting in terrorism. However, we know little about how those in authority (e.g., the police) conceptualize the psychological dynamics to radicalization. Accordingly, we present a detailed account of an official U.K. counterterrorism intervention, the Workshop to Raise Awareness of Prevent, designed to enlist frontline professionals in identifying and referring those at risk of radicalization. Specifically, we report data gathered during an observation of this intervention delivered by the police in Scotland. This provides insight into the psychological model of radicalization being disseminated in the United Kingdom, and we evaluate the merits of this model in the light of current psychological theory. First, we consider how this model may overlook certain social dynamics relevant to understanding radicalization. Second, we discuss how this neglect limits consideration of how the surveillance warranted by the official model may lead Muslims to disengage from majority group members. Our analysis points to how political psychology's analysis of social identities and citizenship can inform public policy and practice.

Enhancing public trust and police legitimacy during road traffic encounters: results from a randomised controlled trial in Scotland

© 2015, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht. Objectives: This paper reports results from the Scottish Community Engagement Trial (ScotCET), devised to replicate the Queensland Community Trial (QCET). ScotCET was an RCT that tested the effects of ‘procedurally just’ policing on public trust and police legitimacy Methods: A block-randomised (matched pairs) design, with pretest and posttest measures, was implemented in the context of road policing in Scotland. Participants were drivers stopped by police in December and January 2013/14 as part of Police Scotland’s ‘Festive Road Safety Campaign’. The experimental intervention comprised a checklist of key messages to include in routine roadside vehicle stops, and a leaflet for officers to give to drivers. Analysis proceeds via random effects regression models predicting latent variable measures of trust, satisfaction and legitimacy Results: Contrary to expectations, the intervention did not improve trust and legitimacy; rather, trust in the officers who made the stop, and satisfaction with their conduct, fell in the test sites, relative to the controls, after implementation of the intervention. The intervention had no significant effect on general trust in the police, nor on police legitimacy Conclusions: Results demonstrate the difficulty in translating experimental interventions across policing contexts, and challenge the notion that public perceptions may be improved through a simple, additive approach to the delivery and communication of procedural justice.

P93 The acceptability of routine enquiry of gender-based violence at sexual health clinics

BackgroundIn 2008/09, 53 861 incidents of GBV were reported to the police in Scotland; 84% were male perpetrator against female victim and 14% female vs male. National guidance recommends routine enquiry of abuse (REA) amongst female attendees at sexual health clinics. Section SH 4.3 of the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework says that levels of GBV should be recorded. Research in an antenatal setting found that 99% of respondents thought REA was acceptable. However, a literature review found no assessment of the acceptability of REA in sexual health clinics. It is also unclear what value there may be of REA in male attendees.AimIn order to elucidate these areas, attendees at the sexual health service in the city were asked for their opinion of REA and their experience of GBV.MethodAs part of our 2010 patient satisfaction survey, attendees were asked: We are considering asking people whether they have been a victim of domestic violence (eg, being hit by a girlfriend, boyfriend, husband or wife). Q1. Do you think we should routinely ask patients this? Q2. Have you ever been the victim of domestic violence? (Support is available here).ResultsOf the 110 respondents, 100 answered Q1 and 104 Q2. Of the 100, 81% (95% CI 72% to 88%) said REA would be acceptable. No significant difference between men and women or abused and non-abused (9/10 of abused, 90% (CI 56% to 100%)). One man (1/42 2% (CI 0.1% to 12.6%) and 10 women (10/42, 16% (CI 8% to 28%) reported GBV (p=0.025 for gender difference). One man and three women declined to answer. Comments from women who reported GBV included “Other departments should deal with this ” – 38 yr old seen at CSRH and “Gives them someone who will listen” – 64 yr old seen at GUM.DiscussionREA was acceptable to the majority. GBV history was not insignificant in men. This survey used a narrow definition of GBV and reports may have been higher had a more inclusive definition been used. Implications are that REA should be done in clinics and should be considered in men, perhaps using a self-completed questionnaire.

Politics and the police in Scotland: The impact of devolution

The creation of a Scottish Parliament and Scottish government in 1999, under the process of devolution within the UK, created a significantly different constitutional and political landscape from that which preceded it. The impact on domestic issues in Scotland, such as policing, has been considerable. This is partly because of new structural arrangements, including the creation of a Justice Minister and a Justice Committee of the Parliament, and partly because of the significance of the law and order agenda within Scottish politics. This paper discusses the impact of these developments on the Scottish police. Analysis focuses on the growing involvement of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish governments in key areas such as constabulary independence, police accountability and the management of police resources. Through this discussion, the paper seeks to make a contribution to the debate about the relationship between the police and politics, and the extent to which policing in Scotland is becoming increasingly politicised.

Heroin seizures and heroin use in Scotland

The seizure of illicit drugs is a key component of the U.K. drug strategy. Whilst information on the quantity of drugs seized and their weight is routinely collected by enforcement agencies, and released to the media, interpreting the meaning of changes in the amounts recorded is fraught with difficulty as a result of not having access to accurate information on the total amount of illegal drugs available within the UK. This article seeks to compare the quantities of heroin seized by police in Scotland with estimates of the amount of heroin consumed over a 12‐month period. The research shows that over the period 2000–2006 heroin seizures within Scotland typically amounted to around 1% of the total amount of heroin consumed. The paper discusses the possible reasons why heroin seizures may represent such a low percentage of heroin consumed and considers the implications of this work with regard to drug enforcement activities.

All Together Now: A National Police Service for Scotland

Debate has emerged in Scotland about restructuring the eight police forces into a single national service. The main drivers of that debate are identified and the major elements contributing to the case for such a restructuring are presented. The role of local community policing and changes to police accountability mechanisms within such a national structure are discussed. The article concludes that a national police service is the best way forward for policing in Scotland.

Assessing the quality of police services using SERVQUAL

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the application of the SERVQUAL approach to assess the quality of service of Strathclyde Police in Scotland. Measuring service quality in public services is fraught with difficulty – especially in public services where customers are vulnerable citizens whose contact with the service may be limited.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports on a SERVQUAL survey of elected representatives serving the area covered by Strathclyde Police Force. The survey captures respondents' expectations of an excellent police service and compares these with their perceptions of the service delivered by Strathclyde Police. The paper also reports on a parallel SERVQUAL survey of police officers in Strathclyde to examine how well the force understands its customers' expectations and how well its internal processes support the delivery of top quality policing services.FindingsWhile there is a significant shortfall in meeting customer expectations, the police force appears to have a good understanding of what these expectations actually are. There also appear to be gaps in the formalisation of service quality standards, in the force's ability to meet established standards, and in its ability to deliver the level of service it promises to customers.Research limitations/implicationsA key technical result is that the primary SERVQUAL instrument appears to be internally consistent but lacks discriminatory validity between the five SERVQUAL dimensions in this service arena.Practical implicationsThe paper will be of interest to strategic and operational police service managers and to academics investigating the reliability and value of service quality assessment tools.Originality/valueThe paper reports an original application of the SERVQUAL approach to police services.

The potential hazard of laser pointers.

We have examined 30 laser pointers that have been removed from the possession of accused persons by police in Scotland. An analysis has shown that 28 were Class 3B (European), with radiated power up to 9.3 mW. We have reviewed the relevance of these findings and this shows that they are potentially hazardous if viewed directly. Transient exposure is unlikely to cause long-term damage but prolonged exposure may cause permanent retinal injury. They may also cause dazzle, the consequences of which could be serious.

Police Accountability in Scotland: [2] ‘New’ Accountabilities

This second article on police accountability focuses on aspects such as best value; performance management and targeting; HMCIC's role; Accounts Commission and Audit Scotland; common services and multi-tiered policing; community and social inclusion partnerships; and complaints against the police. The conclusion is drawn that these new accountabilities throw into question traditional views on the constitutional position and future management of policing in Scotland.

THE POLICE SERVICE AFTER THE WAR: STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

The police service is now the subject of intense political and considerable academic interest. But 40 years ago neither of these factors applied. Jenifer Hart's book (1951) still gives the best picture of the service in the immediate post‐war years, with the additional authority of her previous service in the Home Office, but it has long been out of print. There is no other detailed description of the police as it was then, although it is dealt with as part of a much larger picture in Critchley (1967) and in Stead (1985). The object of this article is to look at what was done ‐ or left undone ‐ in those post‐war years, before the opportunity is lost of enhancing the records (such as they are) from personal experience, with emphasis on matters of current concern. This is an administrative study, and no attempt is made to deal with police operations or with changes in the law affecting police practice. Nor does it deal with the police in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Policing the Periphery: The Development of Scottish Policing 1795–1900

This article, which is in two parts, addresses a much neglected topic — the early development of policing in Scotland. In Part I, the remarkably early growth of Scottish policing was mapped out, and the way in which some distinctive features of the term's earliest usage carried over into the nineteenth century police form was examined. Analytical emphasis in the first part of the article was upon the forces giving rise to the conditions under which the institution of police could emerge, how the penetration of capitalist relations into Scotland made policing an attractive urban and rural possibility. An attempt was also made to break through the explanatory nihilism of some recent historians who perceive so much local diversity and uneveness in the history of policing and criminal justice during the nineteenth century that they are driven effectively to abandon all overarching structural explanation. Instead of surrendering to the temptations of descriptive empiricism implicit in such elevation of diversity to analytical pre-eminence, the first part of the article attempted to analyse the interplay between macro-structural factors and local exigencies in such a way that some sense could be made of diversity itself. The second part of the article will be devoted to the other side of the relationship between Scottish policing and the society in which it emerged, to the ways in which policing contributed to the formation of social relations appropriate to a society moving rapidly into the phase of industrial capitalism. While being careful to avoid the cruder functionalist and teleological overtones of an approach which specifies the effects of policing and then attributes causative force to those effects, it nonetheless acknowledges the significance of policing for the new order emerging in Scotland during this crucial period. In so doing it completes the “relational” circle, a conceptual framework which, as well as stressing how the institution of police was shaped by the totality of Scotland's nineteenth century order, also emphasizes how policing helped to shape that order itself.

Policing the periphery: The development of scottish policing 1795–1900

Abstract This article, which is in two parts, addresses a much neglected topic — the early development of policing in Scotland. In Part I, the remarkably early growth of Scottish policing will be mapped out, and the way in which some distinctive features of the term's earliest usage carried over into the nineteenth century police form will be examined. Analytical emphasis in the first part of the article will be upon the forces giving rise to the conditions under which the institution of police could emerge, how the penetration of capitalist relations into Scotland made policing an attractive urban and rural possibility. An attempt will also be made to break through the explanatory nihilism of some recent historians who perceive so much local diversity and uneveness in the history of policing and criminal justice during the nineteenth century that they are driven effectively to abandon all overarching structural explanation. Instead of surrendering to the temptations of descriptive empiricism implicit in such elevation of diversity to analytical preeminence, this article will attempt to analyse the interplay between macro-structural factors and local exigencies in such a way that some sense can be made of diversity itself. The second part of the article will be devoted to the other side of the relationship between Scottish policing and the society in which it emerged, to the ways in which policing contributed to the formation of social relations appropriate to a society moving rapidly into the phase of industrial capitalism.