Crime: Police Scotland Flashcards
Structure of the police
Locality policing, Operational Support Division, Specialist Crime Division
Locality policing example
Many schools around Scotland have ‘Campus Cops’ who work to build relationships between the police and students as well as dealing with any issues that may arise in schools
Operational Support Division example
The firearms unit–ever since the Westminster terrorist attack, there has been an armed officer present at the Scottish Parliament building to protect the public
Specialist Crime Division example
When an individual is thought to be at risk of committing acts of terror, the counter terrorism team would investigate and deal with it appropriately
Roles of the police
Prevent, protect, investigate
Police prevent example
GetConsent was a campaign organised by Police Scotland to raise awareness and prevent sexual crimes
Police protect example
Police were present at COP26 to protect the public from any possible threats
Police investigate example
Operation Branchform is a Police Scotland investigation (launched in 2021) into possible fundraising fraud in the Scottish National Party (SNP)
Powers of the police
Detain and arrest, seize goods, stop and search
Detain and arrest example
The police can detain someone for up to 24 hours, however, the police can hold someone for up to 14 days if they are suspected of a terrorism-related offence
Seize goods example
In 2024, 3 men were arrested after around £1 million worth of drugs were seized from their suitcases at Aberdeen Airport
Stop and search example
In 2021/22, over 30,000 stop and searches were carried out in Scotland
Reasons why the police are effective
They prevent crime, they protect people, they investigate crime
Police effectiveness extra statistics
In 2023, there were no unsolved murders in Scotland
Campaign: Don’t Be That Guy
Reasons why the police are ineffective
Not enough police officers, hateful behaviours, some guilty people get away
Not enough police officers example
Edinburgh police number have fallen by more than 5% in three years, sparking warnings of rise in crime rates
Hateful behaviours within the police example
Police Scotland’s former Chief Constable labelled the organisation institutionally racist and sexist
Some guilty people get away example
The BBC reported that almost 50% of crimes don’t make it to court due to a lack of evidence
