What a performance!

Once upon a time Policing Scotland was relatively simple. Newly appointed constables attended at Tulliallan and were given some clear, easily understood guidance about their new job. In essence they were told to guard watch and patrol, so as to prevent crime, protect life and property, detect offenders and put them before the court so that (hopefully) the bad guys and gals got what was coming. I fully accept I have paraphrased somewhat towards the end of that college input but the message was clear, get out there, patrol and do your job.

When a member of the public became a victim of crime, or witnessed a crime, they phoned the Police.   Invariably they spoke to a Police officer who quickly grasped the situation and dispatched the necessary police resources to assist. It worked and in the main all parties were happy.  On the rare occasion when dissatisfaction occurred it was discussed between adult minds and invariably resolved.  Public satisfaction surveys consistently had the Police at or very near the top of the occupational list. Who would want to tamper with a system that worked?

Well I have just read the ‘Scottish Policing Performance Framework Annual Report for 2008-09'.  Produced by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland, this 75 page document shows precisely how much tampering has been done.  It does not get off to a good start.  It admits to not having the consistent and transparent performance information which was a key aim of the SPPF.  It also says it is regrettable that it cannot make comparisons with last year or indeed between forces.  I know what kind of performance that amounts to.

The Report goes on to tell us that the previous 42 High Level Objectives have been ‘subsumed' into 12 Overarching Objectives and aligned with Four Pillars - wonderful!

There has been an increase in the number of indicators from 28 to 46 - oh good, just what we needed!

And, I kid you not, in relation to public confidence surveys, it actually says, "that although the majority of respondents are confident in their force's abilities, confidence levels are nevertheless relatively low on a number of activities including preventing crime, responding quickly to calls and catching criminals.  The SCJS findings also show that certain victim groups, ie  users of police services, are among those less likely to have confidence in the police."

So, that's all right then, as long as the public don't expect us to prevent crime, respond to calls, catch criminals or actually meet us, they think the police are fine! - brilliant!

What I would like to know is how many bean counters and number crunchers are there employed to produce this stuff?  How many Police officers and others spent how long pulling this drivel together?   If they were employed actually helping to deliver a Police service to the public then they would be better employed in my view.   

How many people, within and outwith the Police service do the authors think will read and understand this Report? How many might know or care what a High Level Objective is, an Overarching Objective is or, the Four Pillars are? Or, is the plan to present a complex and moving target on the basis that it will be harder to hit?

Note: The views expressed in The Station Blog are written by neither a Federation representative nor an employee and are not necessarily those of the Joint Central Committee of the Scottish Police Federation.  If you want to comment on the content please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it