Latest recruits swear new duty of candour to strengthen standards of professional behaviour
One hundred probationers made the police constable declaration in front of members of Police Scotland’s Chief Officer Team.
The new recruits are the first cohort to swear the newly amended oath of office which now includes a duty of candour and which brings the number of standards of professional behaviour for officers to 11.
The duty of candour was created under the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act following Lady Elish Angiolini’s review of police complaints in November, 2020. The review made 81 recommendations with 34 requiring legislative change to be implemented.
Duty of candour means officers act with openness, professionalism and truthfulness in their dealings and proceedings. It makes clear that they attend interviews and assist and participate in proceedings, including all investigations, openly, promptly and professionally, in line with the expectations of a police constable.
Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs thanked the new recruits for stepping forward to keep communities safe as he addressed them at an oath ceremony in Jackton. He said: “Taking on the responsibilities and duties of a police officer is a deeply considered decision and I thank every one of them for stepping forward to help safeguard our communities.
“They are signing up to a hugely rewarding and demanding career where people will turn to them for help, often in the most critical and vulnerable circumstances.
“Taking the oath of office is a significant moment for our latest recruits and the new duty of candour further cements our commitment to values-based policing.
“It is a legislative standard of behaviour as well as an organisational requirement of all officers and staff and came into effect on 25 June this year.
“The new legislation puts an enhanced focus on our values and standards. It strengthens our integrity and increases public confidence by making clear that Police Scotland will not tolerate behaviours which fall below the standards expected of everyone in policing.”
The one hundred probationers swore the oath of office at ceremonies across the country attended by members of Police Scotland’s Chief Officer Team.
They will be ready for operational deployment following their 14 weeks’ training programme.
Police Scotland is recruiting officers. If you are ready for a job like no other, start your application on our website now.
