Scotland’s trainee police officers now forced to take ‘virtue signalling’ slave trade lessons

Police officers are being given lessons on Scotland’s role in the slave trade as part of a new probationary training programme, it has been revealed.

The course is part of a revised induction process for trainees, which will also look at Scottish history and the ethics of policing.

Officers are told about the role the Scots played in slavery in an effort to tackle prejudice and increase understanding of equality and inclusion within the ranks.

The revelation comes after former chief constable Sir Iain Livingstone sparked anger among officers last year after claiming his own forces were institutionally racist and discriminatory.

But it also comes after the chief executive said that Cash-strapped Police Scotland can no longer afford to fully investigate thousands of ‘petty’ crimes under a new ‘proportionate strategy’.

Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Russell Findlay said slavery lessons for Police Scotland subjects were “an exercise in virtual signalling”.

Last night there were concerns among police leaders and opposition politicians that the slavery course was ‘virtue signaling’ and could be seen as ‘ticking a box’.

David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents rank-and-file officers, said: ‘Most officers would know about slavery and have been taught about it before they got the job – and if not, that might be a problem. for example, for the wider society and the education system, rather than for the police.

‘This follows on from Sir Iain’s statement on racism last year, but I do not believe the service is a racist organization now – or then.

‘It may be that some of this training content is relevant, but most officers would prefer to be well trained and equipped for their job – and some of them may see this as a tick box, and something that should not be such a priority are. ‘

Tom McMahon, director of strategy and analysis at Police Scotland, said the force had introduced a ‘revised delivery model for probationer training’.

In papers submitted to the people’s committee of the Scottish Police Authority, the civilian oversight body for Police Scotland, he said this “will include a lesson on Scottish history and the ethics of policing, providing education on the role Scotland featured in slavery and important events in the history of slavery. the years and their impact on police work then and now’.

He said: ‘There will also be a lesson on Scottish communities, including up-to-date demographic information and any cultural barriers and issues we encounter.’

But last night, Scottish Tory justice spokesman Russell Findlay said: ‘Police Scotland would be better off focusing on tackling criminal gangs exploiting victims of modern slavery rather than indulging in history lessons for new recruits.

‘People from poorer countries are routinely trafficked into Scotland where they are threatened, with male victims typically subjected to forced labor and women forced into prostitution.

‘This exercise in virtue signaling is also questionable given recent concerns about the quality of officer training in relation to the SNP’s hate crime bill.’

Last week, Chief Constable Jo Farrell said she regretted the “recent and historic injustices” suffered by “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning and intersex” people.

In December last year, a watchdog revealed that potential police recruits had withdrawn their applications after Sir Iain said the force was institutionally racist – a position backed by Ms Farrell when she replaced him in October 2023.

Craig Naylor – Chief Inspector of His Majesty’s Police Scotland – said Sir Iain’s statement had left many officers feeling “disillusioned”.

In a damning report into the way Police Scotland is run, he said the comments led to public ‘negativity’ towards officers and their families.

Earlier this week, the Mail reported that police officers are resigning en masse amid heavy workloads and stress, as the force faces a ‘perfect storm’ of recruitment and retention, according to exit interviews.

Those who left Police Scotland told the SPF about a lack of support from bosses and welfare issues.

According to the SPF exit survey, those leaving said there was a ‘complete lack of any strategic leadership’ and a ‘more-with-less attitude’ among managers.

Last year, a leading academic and race consultant suggested that slavery lessons should be introduced into Scottish schools to teach children about Britain’s colonial past.

Sir Geoff Palmer, chancellor of Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, said lessons about slavery should be regarded as core subjects in the same way as maths and English.

He previously discussed Edinburgh’s role in slavery and colonialism, which led to Edinburgh City Council apologizing for the suffering caused by the city’s involvement in the trade.

When asked last night about the slavery course, a Police Scotland spokesperson reiterated an earlier statement from Ms Farrell in which she said: ‘people from all communities need to know that when we talk about protecting people, we mean them’.

She said: “All communities should feel they can talk to police, report crimes or share information.

“I want people from all communities to see policing as a potential career.”