Police Scotland introduces new approach to performance reporting
Police Scotland is embedding a new approach to performance reporting, using hard data across key measures to help improve service to the public.
The Performance and Accountability Framework outlines 173 measures across five themes – Trust and Confidence; Threat, Harm and Risk; Prevention, Problem Solving and Proactivity; Our People; and Enabling Services.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell said the framework will illustrate performance more clearly but stressed “it is not about chasing targets”.
The framework has been designed to better understand and explain Police Scotland’s level of service, inform how it deploys resources and enable effective scrutiny and benchmarking to drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Since taking command last October, Ms Farrell has prioritised high performance and said that Police Scotland’s performance focus must revolve around effective prevention, problem-solving and proactivity to reduce demand.
A performance-informed focus on motor vehicle crime in Fife in 2023 helped build intelligence around stolen vehicle transport routes, ensured work with partners and ports authorities to share information and best practice around vehicle crime.
This example of a performance informed response to crime led to eight men being arrested and charged with acquisitive crimes. The approach contributed to a reduction in thefts and repeat offenders and an increase in detections and the arrests of significant nominals.
Ms Farrell outlined the new approach to performance during a public meeting of the Scottish Police Authority Board.
She said: “I want police leaders to use the framework to take a values based approach to identify trends; investigate what sits behind them and intervene so that we are high performing and deliver for the public.
“Equally, where success has been achieved and evidenced, it is essential we share these examples of good practice and policing delivering for the public with our colleagues and external audiences.
“The framework will illustrate performance more clearly and by using hard data. But it is not about chasing targets and we will not drive key measures through practices which are not aligned with our values and which do not genuinely deliver for the public. Policing should not hit targets but miss the point.”