Chamber and committees

I will now open the session up to members and bring in Rona Mackay.

Just for clarification, are you referring to the CAAPD in last week’s evidence session?

Thank you. My final question on that is about the bill. From the perspective of the conduct and complaints committee, which provisions in the bill will help to strengthen the work that you have outlined?

I was just about to do that.

I have a final question before I bring in other members. The bill is being scrutinised against the backdrop of the previous chief constable’s statement that Police Scotland is “institutionally racist”. Does the bill go far enough in addressing that allegation? Obviously, the bill will not resolve that situation by itself—a lot of other actions will be required—but will the bill make a positive contribution, in light of the previous chief constable’s comments?

That is very helpful. I have another question, which stays on the subject of recruiting the best candidates possible for what we all know is an extremely difficult job that places huge demands on police officers and staff. It is on vetting, which we have not covered yet.

We are aware that the HMICS assurance review of vetting policy and procedures included a recommendation that the Scottish Government should place legislative requirements on Police Scotland with regard to vetting. The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs has advised that she is committed to exploring the legislative basis for vetting, particularly in the context of the bill. Is any work already under way in that space? Do you have any additional comments, particularly on the back of the HMICS review?

I will finish with a couple of quick-fire questions. The first is on the proposals for a barred list. In evidence, we have heard some concerns about the proposals for that list to be public. I am interested in your views on that.

I know that you have more questions, Mr Findlay, but I will bring in other members at this point and we can perhaps come back to you later.

Yes.

The spirit of my question was more about public confidence, which is critical to what we are looking at. I am aware, from some of the helpful data that Police Scotland has provided—I think that it was from Police Scotland rather than the SPA—that a large proportion of complaints are resolved relatively quickly in-house and that it is a relatively small proportion of the overall number of complaints that find their way into the processes that we are discussing.

This is probably a big question but, staying on public confidence, I would be interested to hear your views on which provisions of the bill—for example, on the code of ethics or the strengthening of the duty of candour—are elements that speak to enhancing public confidence.