Positive results from performance management

Grampian Police’s drive to embed a performance culture across the force has resulted in positive improvements in performance in 2006/2007, according to information collected by its innovative ‘Improvement through Knowledge and Performance system’ (IKAP).

The IKAP service assists Grampian to track, understand and manage critical aspects of its strategic performance.

Information is processed through an Enterprise Information Solution (EIS) from Northgate Information Solutions, specialists in software, outsourcing and IT services. This provides Grampian Police with a single reference point for performance information and enables it to fully analyse its performance from strategic priorities through to the force’s operational activities. Further enhancements are planned through improved data sharing and resource allocation.

Between 2005/2006 and 2006/2007, the force achieved the following performance and process improvements:

•Recorded crimes for Groups 1-5 (violence, indecency, dishonesty, fire-raising and malicious and reckless conduct, and other crimes) have fallen by 4.6 per cent.

•Record detection rates of 41.4 per cent for Groups 1-5 crimes, compared to 38.5 per cent in 2005/2006.

•The lowest-ever level of domestic housebreaking, with an 18.9 per cent reduction on 2005/2006.

•12.4 per cent increase in the number of reports submitted to the Procurator Fiscal within 28 days, exceeding the national target.

Colin Menzies, assistant chief constable at Grampian Police, said: “The aim of the IKAP system is to develop a knowledge-based performance management culture that allows us to more fully understand our business and ultimately to assist us in effectively achieving our local priorities while supporting national performance management objectives. The early results are very encouraging.”