About the International Development and Innovation Unit

This International Development and Innovation Unit (IDIU) is based at Scottish Police College Tulliallan.

It identifies and develops mutually beneficial partnerships with law enforcement agencies. This is both in the United Kingdom and overseas.

Another key pillar of the IDIU strategy is to work with key partners out with law enforcement. This is for a mutual benefit in developing opportunities. The aim is to improve policing for the communities of Scotland.

In so doing, the unit interacts with lots of external agencies.

They also interact with police services and government bodies. This is to develop robust business proposals. These reflect the values of Police Scotland.

This supports the development of policing services in other countries.

The service works with international customers to design, develop, implement and evaluate change programmes.

This is to meet a nation’s or organisation’s specific needs. These activities are organised through the IDIU.

As a result, Police Scotland has gained a reputation of working in partnership around the world and at home.

In almost all circumstances when delivering programmes, we deploy current police officers and staff. This maintains critical operational relevance.

This unique approach has seen the IDIU being involved in a number of successful programmes. Examples of the work the IDIU have managed are summarised below:

Crime training

Police Scotland works in partnership in Malawi to tackle child abuse and gender based violence.

Police Scotland has also delivered specialist Child Protection Training in the Maldives, United Arab Emirates and Bhutan.

They've also delivered a strategic level Community Safety training programme. This offers an International Vocational Award in Community Policing for the Sri Lankan Police Service.

Specialist training

Police Scotland designed and developed a bespoke programme of training focused on the specific needs of the Malawi Police Service. This was in relation to Community Safety and Neighbourhood Policing methodologies.

The Department for International Development (UK) also funded a study of the Malawi Police Service.

Police Scotland were requested to separately provide training to develop the capacity of the Service. This was to manage mass gatherings and protests and maintain public order in a human rights respecting manner.

Leadership and management 

Police Scotland has been active in the development and delivery of leadership and professional development programmes overseas.

These core programmes best reflect the training needs of senior officer cadres in each of the countries involved.

International policing leadership and management skills have been designed and delivered for international clients.

We have also hosted various individually tailored training, study visits and conference programmes in Scotland. This is for UK based and overseas guests.

This concentration of capability, experience and expertise combines to provide our national and international partners with access to high quality learning and development opportunities.

Road policing

Police Scotland delivered a range of specialist road policing programmes for international clients.

We have also hosted officers from the Caribbean at Tulliallan on Advanced Driver Instructor training.

Recruit training

Using our experience in Probationer Training in Scotland, Police Scotland designed and implemented a range of bespoke entry level training programmes. This was on behalf of the Sri Lanka Police Service that are in keeping with current international standards. 

All of these training programmes are fully accredited. They have a direct influence on the professionalism of policing within Sri Lanka.