Cops want public's views on best way to police Scotland in future

The country's justice minister got the views of high school pupils at the launch of the first ever public consultation on Police Scotland priorities.

Falkirk West MSP Michael Matheson was joined by chief constable Phil Gormley, the man in charge of Police Scotland, at the launch event in Larbert High School yesterday (Wednesday).

During the course of the morning the minister and the chief constable heard from youngsters about their feelings on the police and the opportunities to study policing in detail in the school’s new HNC course on Police Studies.

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Mr Matheson said the pupils he talked to had a keen interest in the police, with many of them looking to join the ranks of the force.

Referring to the launch of the draft strategic police priorities consultation, the justice minister said he felt the time was right, after the first three years of Police Scotland, to get the views of the people on policing issues.

He said: “We are three years on with Police Scotland and we want to give the public the opportunity to have their say. This is the first time we have had an opportunity to do this.

“It lets people have a direct say in what they want to see from key areas of policing.”

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Mr Gormley added: “By participating in this consultation process, members of the public are able to guide Police Scotland to the issues affecting their communities, enabling us to create a targeted approach to local issues.”

Visit www.gov.scot to view the draft strategic police priorities.