Celtic League : police consultation continues

- Rapport -

One of the most extensive consultation exercises ever undertaken by the Celtic League continues as the League attempt to assess the attitude of Police Services across the Celtic countries to the language and culture of the communities they serve.

Cathal Ó Luain Par Celtic League le 29/04/08 6:06

Strathclyde Police are the latest to respond and as with earlier contributions from some other Scottish Forces the reply (which is set out below) is extremely detailed.

At the conclusion of the consultative process, Celtic League General Secretary Rhisiart Tal-e-bot will collate a report to the Celtic League AGM which this year is scheduled to take place in Ireland.

"Community Safety Department Police Headquarters 173 Pitt Street Glasgow G2 4JS

19th March 2008-04-10

Dear Rhisiart

Strathclyde Police: Scottish Gaelic Language and Cultural Commitment

I am writing in response to your letter of 15th February 2008 regarding your ongoing campaign to examine how police forces in Celtic countries reflect respective distinctive cultural and linguistic heritage in each of those countries.

As you state in your letter, the police form part of the community it serves and our services and practises are designed to take account of the needs of all sections of that community. The Strathclyde Police Force area has an ever expanding diversity in terms of the communities it serves with immigration from established and emerging communities along with asylum seeker populations. These changing demographics place ever changing demands on our service, particularly in relation to language and information provision needs.

With regards to the six specific questions within your letter I would provide the following information.

Question 1- 'Why can't I read your official website in Scottish Gaelic?'

The Strathclyde Police Freedom of Information publication scheme is published on the Force website and highlights the information that is available to the public through the Force website. During the development publication scheme in 2003 - 2004, ten of the most utilised community languages within the Force area were identified and these were used to highlight that information could be requested in different languages and formats. Gaelic is not one of these languages, however if a request is made for information to be provided in another language and that request in not considered unreasonable, the material is supplied.

A review of the Force publication scheme is ongoing with responses due to be submitted to the Scottish information Commissioner by March 2009. The issue of language provision will be considered in relation to this review.

In the Force area the percentage of Gaelic speakers is highest in Argyll and Bute and Glasgow Central and West Divisions. The Force is aware that it must accurately reflect the population it serves and the role of Gaelic as a heritage language may be considered in future discussions about language provision on the website.

The Force website contains approximately 40000 web pages, with associated administrative and cost implications, which would be increased were the website to be made available in languages other than English. There are also technical software considerations which currently militate against such provision. There are however, plans to review the software used and this may allow some of these technical considerations to be addressed.

Question 2 - 'Why don't your police uniforms and equipment (e.g. vehicles) have the word 'Police' written in Scottish Gaelic alongside English?'

Each force has responsibility for its image and corporate logo but agreement has been reached by ACPOS Uniform and Protective Equipment group to standardise the range of police uniform clothing items and to purchase from a national clothing contract and, where required , products will be badged with the generic word 'police'. Thereafter Forces may determine whether additional markings are required and may add badges, embroidery etc. indicating Force identification.

The adoption of other languages on uniform and equipment may result in additional cost and may increase lead times associated with the supply and delivery process. Specifications for the forthcoming three year period have been agreed and the tender document is due to be advertised in the next few weeks. Consequently, it may be difficult to implement any change until this contract is completed.

Currently Strathclyde Police does mark a small number of vehicles in both English and Gaelic, including the mobile police station which serves Argyle and Bute Division. However, the additional one off cost of marking all Force vehicles in Gaelic would be approximately £6000 and would result in additional annual maintenance costs of approximately £15000.

In marking the mobile police station which serves the area with one of the highest concentrations of Gaelic speakers (Argyll and Bute), the Force is targeting resources to the most appropriate area.

Question 3 - 'Would you consider adopting a distinctive Scottish police badge, with the Scottish flag on it perhaps, as in the case of the new North Wales Police badges?'

The Scottish Police Service has a distinct badge incorporating the Scottish thistle, which is the national emblem of Scotland. Strathclyde Police, in line with other Scottish Forces, displays this badge on uniform caps. It is also used in a modified form as the basis for badges on other uniform and equipment, corporate stationary and the Force website.

I would expect that any decision to adopt a different badge, such as the one incorporating the Saltire, would be made in consultation with other Scottish Forces via ACPOS. However, I am not aware of this matter being subject to a formal discussion at this time.

Question 4 - 'Are your officers able to attend free classes in Scottish Gaelic as part of their job, should they wish to do so.

Strathclyde Police does not currently offer language classes to officers as part of their duties. There is provision for the Force to sponsor individual study in further and higher education, where the subject matter will assist staff in obtaining the qualification, skills and knowledge necessary to perform effectively the duties and responsibilities of their post. However, the Force does not currently sponsor any staff member to undertake Gaelic studies.

I would bring to your attention the attached correspondence from ACPOS General Policing Standards Committee in 2003 which highlights that very few initial contacts with police are made in Gaelic. The Force currently has 12 staff members who have notified that they possess a skill in Gaelic language and any request for a Gaelic speaking officer would be facilitated by using these officers. Where this was not appropriate (e.g. interview of an accused) the Force has access to professional interpreting services.

Consequently, it is not considered at this time that there is an operational need to train officers in Gaelic language. If such an operational need is identified in future, provision of training to officers may be considered.

In terms of internal communication, the Force would, if requested, make information available to staff members in languages other than English. However, information from the Personal Equalities Unit indicates that there has been so such request for information to be provided in Gaelic.

Question 5 - 'Do you have a specific Gaelic language policy for your force?'

Strathclyde Police does not currently have a Gaelic language police. However, it is recognised by the Force's Corporate Communications Department that it may be helpful to develop an overall language police. In doing so, issues of cost, resources, management and best value would be required to be considered in relation to the extent of language provision, including Gaelic material on the Force website and other publications.

Question 6 - 'How could, in your opinion, the Central Scotland (sic) Police Force show more of a commitment to Scottish cultural and linguistic diversity?'

The Force is aware of the provisions of the Gaelic language (Scotland) Act 2005, which came into law on 13 February 2006, and will comply with any requirement made of it by Bord na Gaidhlig in exercising its powers under the Act.

Strathclyde Police consults regularly with staff, partner agencies and the public within the Force area in order to ensure that the services provided meet the needs of all stakeholders and will continue to review the way in which services are delivered and communicated in order to take due cognisance of relevant cultural issues.

I trust that this information is of help to you.

Yours sincerely

John LS Malcolm Deputy Chief Constable."

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