Proposals to better tackle organised crime planned

Proposals on how the justice sector can better tackle serious and organised crime are among those being drawn up as part of a groundbreaking programme led by Scottish police.

Leadership for Outcomes, delivered in conjunction with the Washington-based Police Executive Research Forum, is intended to strengthen the leadership skills of senior staff within several agencies while devising strategies to tackle some of the most intractable problems facing the justice system. 

A number of superintendents from Police Scotland are among 16 individuals involved in the pilot, which also extends to the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service, Scottish Court Service and Scottish Government.  

Programme director, chief superintendent Gillian MacDonald, who is divisional commander for Ayrshire, said: “People have been encouraged to be innovative and ambitious in their thinking because it is about getting to better outcomes and better justice outcomes in particular for Scotland. 

“There’s an absolute opportunity to influence future policy… to think about things like legislation, about common operating procedures, all of that. So there is a real opportunity to influence and innovate for the future.” 

Earlier this month, participants heard from a number of experts from across the UK and USA, including Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Cressida Dick, as well as commissioner of the US Customs and Border Protection Agency, Gil Kerlikowske.

Six are also set to travel to the States to explore how law enforcement is dealing with a number of multilayered issues before putting proposals to the Justice Board, which includes, among others, heads of police, prisons and courts in Scotland.

Developing law enforcement's approach to serious and organised crime, and how to build on the sector’s approach to risk and vulnerability within communities, are two of six topics those involved have been tasked with coming up with solutions for.

The other four are:

• Developing understanding of ‘What Works’ for crime reduction and road safety, focussed towards prevention, supporting sustained crime/risk reduction and the development of flexible, efficient, resourcing and deployment models, tailored to the needs of local communities 
• Transforming criminal justice processes to deliver justice for all within a modern, sustainable and efficient justice system 
• Further developing collaborative approach to tackling domestic abuse and serious sexual offending 
• Changing cultures, seeking better destinations: tackling youth offending, alcohol and drugs in Scotland