Law enforcement officials are being given classes on Scotland’s function within the slave commerce beneath a brand new coaching scheme for probationers, it has been revealed.
The course is a part of a revised induction course of for trainees which additionally seems at Scottish historical past and the ethics of policing.
Officers are advised concerning the half Scots performed in slavery in a bid to sort out prejudice and increase understanding of equality and inclusion within the ranks.
The disclosure comes after former Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone sparked anger amongst officers final yr after claiming his personal pressure was institutionally racist and discriminatory.
But it surely additionally comes after high brass mentioned cash-strapped Police Scotland may not afford to completely examine hundreds of ‘minor’ crimes beneath a brand new ‘proportionate technique’ response.
Scottish Conservative Justice spokesman Russell Findlay mentioned classes about slavery for Police Scotland probationers was “an train in digital signalling”
Final night time there was concern from police leaders and opposition politicians that the slavery course was ‘virtue-signalling’ and could also be considered ‘box-ticking’.
David Kennedy, basic secretary of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), representing rank-and-file officers, mentioned: ‘Most officers would learn about slavery and would have been taught about it earlier than getting the job – and if not possibly that’s an issue for wider society and the schooling system, for instance, somewhat than policing.
‘This flows from Sir Iain’s assertion about racism final yr however I don’t consider the service is now – or was then – a racist organisation.
‘It might be that a few of this coaching content material is related however most officers would like to be correctly educated and outfitted for the job – and a few of them might even see this as box-ticking, and one thing that shouldn’t be such a precedence.’
Tom McMahon, director of technique and evaluation at Police Scotland, mentioned the pressure had launched a ‘revised supply mannequin for probationer coaching’.
In paperwork submitted to the individuals committee of the Scottish Police Authority, the civilian oversight physique for Police Scotland, he mentioned this ‘will embody a lesson on Scottish historical past and the ethics of policing, educating on the function Scotland performed in slavery and vital occasions over time and their influence on policing then and now’.
He mentioned: ‘There can even be a lesson on Scottish communities together with present demographic data and any cultural obstacles that exist and issues encountered.’
However final night time Scottish Tory justice spokesman Russell Findlay mentioned: ‘Police Scotland could be higher devoting consideration on tackling prison gangs who exploit victims of contemporary slavery somewhat than take pleasure in historical past classes for brand spanking new recruits.
‘Individuals from poorer international locations are routinely smuggled into Scotland the place they’re threatened, with male victims sometimes topic to enforced labour and females compelled into prostitution.
‘This train in virtue-signalling can be questionable given current issues concerning the high quality of officer coaching in respect of the SNP’s hate crime legislation.’
Final week Chief Constable Jo Farrell mentioned she was sorry for ‘current and historic injustices’ suffered by ‘lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex’ individuals.
In December final yr, a watchdog disclosed that potential police recruits had withdrawn their job functions after Sir Iain mentioned the pressure was institutionally racist – a place backed by Ms Farrell when she changed him in October 2023.
Craig Naylor – His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland – mentioned Sir Iain’s assertion had left many officers feeling ‘disenchanted’.
In an excoriating report into how Police Scotland is run, he mentioned the feedback led to public ‘negativity’ in the direction of officers and their households.
Earlier this week, the Mail reported that law enforcement officials are quitting of their droves amid heavy workloads and stress because the pressure faces a ‘good storm’ of recruitment and retention, in response to exit interviews.
These leaving Police Scotland advised the SPF a few lack of help from bosses and welfare points.
In keeping with the SPF’s exit survey, these leaving mentioned there was a ‘full lack of any strategic management’ and a ‘do-more-with-less perspective’ amongst managers.
Final yr a high tutorial and race adviser recommended that slavery classes must be launched in Scottish faculties to show youngsters about Britain’s colonial previous.
Sir Geoff Palmer, chancellor of Heriot-Watt College in Edinburgh, mentioned lessons on slavery must be considered as core topics in the identical manner as maths and English.
He beforehand reviewed Edinburgh’s previous function in slavery and colonialism, which led Metropolis of Edinburgh Council to apologise for struggling brought on by town’s involvement within the commerce.
Requested concerning the slavery course final night time, a Police Scotland spokesman reiterated a earlier assertion by Ms Farrell during which she mentioned ‘individuals from all communities should know that after we speak about maintaining individuals protected, we imply them’.
She mentioned: ‘All communities should really feel capable of converse to the police, to report a criminal offense or to share data.
‘I would like individuals from all communities to see policing as a possible profession.’
