Agenda item

Superintendent McDowell of the Contact, Command & Control Division attended the meeting to provide an update on the future of the Aberdeen control room.

Superintendent McDowell advised that control room staff from Dundee had been given the opportunity to work in the Aberdeen control room to gain experience and learn the nuances involved.  Following recommendations made by HM Inspectorate for Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS), Police Scotland were working to complete a number of recommendations and so far out of the 9 that had been presented to HMICS, 6 had been accepted as complete.  In regards to the staff at the Aberdeen control room, measures had been put in place to support them including working groups and training materials to support them in finding new employment.

The Convener expressed concern regarding the loss of local knowledge.  Superintendent McDowell clarified that ICT systems are in place to locate callers and there are translation services and a database for colloquial phrases available at all control rooms.

Councillor Yuill enquired if there were any Doric speakers at the Dundee control room.  Superintendent McDowell responded that there were none but that there was 1 Gaelic speaker.

Councillor Finlayson enquired if control room staff in Aberdeen had been offered positions to relocate.  Superintendent McDowell responded that they have a policy of no redundancies and that 6 members of staff from the Aberdeen control room were relocating to Dundee.

Councillor Townson sought clarification regarding major incidents such as the Piper Alpha disaster which resulted in a high level of calls.  Superintendent McDowell responded that there was a major event room in Dundee for emergencies such as an offshore disaster.

Councillor Young enquired if Police Scotland were satisfied that even without having all the recommendations from HMICS implemented that Aberdeen would not be at a disadvantage.  Superintendent McDowell responded that Aberdeen would not be disadvantaged and the division would not move forward with plans unless evidence is supplied proving this.

Councillor Nicoll enquired about the level of training given to a call handler.  Superintendent McDowell responded that it was a pass or fail course for advisers with realistic situations to respond to.

Councillor Laing enquired how long it would take for all of HMICS recommendations to be implemented.  Superintendent McDowell responded that there were a number that they were working on and looking to get acceptance at the end of June, whilst the remainder were long term and could take up to a year to complete.

Councillor Flynn thanked the Superintendent for the update and enquired how the move to Dundee regional control room would benefit Aberdeen City.  Superintendent McDowell responded that the national system would ensure Aberdeen has wider access to resources as in the past there has been a lack of cross border cooperation and now these wider resources could be called upon and speed up response.

The Committee resolved:-

(i)         to note that Members are invited to visit a national call centre; and

(ii)        to request that Police Scotland circulate to the Committee the number of staff that were based at the control centre in Aberdeen when Police Scotland took over from Grampian Police.