John Finnie MSP raises concerns over alleged Police Scotland stop and search targets
A Highland MSP and former police officer has expressed concerns over alleged stop and search targets handed down to local police officers under Police Scotland.
John Finnie, Independent MSP for the Highlands and Islands, made the comments at a meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s Police Committee yesterday where the level of autonomy given to local police commanders under the single force was discussed.
Deputy Chief Constable and head of local policing Rose Kirkpatrick denied that operational officers were given the targets and that a Glasgow way of policing was now applied across Scotland.
Speaking after the meeting Mr Finnie, a member of the committee, said: "Whilst Police Scotland seem delighted that only one in five of the informal searches they do result in a positive find, I think it’s fair to say the committee saw this as a matter for concern, not least given its potential to alienate young people subject to such searches.
"It was disappointing to hear that Police Scotland say they do not keep a record of who was the subject of a negative search. None the less I am encouraged that the police are prepared to look at keeping such records."
Mr Finnie said he was "delighted" that the force was considering his suggestion to issue a ‘know your rights’ booklet to young people - something Northern Constabulary did more than 20 years ago.
He said: "No one, least of all the police, has anything to fear from everyone knowing their own rights and I look forward to hearing how they will progress this issue."
