News

28 May 2008
EXPERTS GATHER TO DISCUSS CHALLENGING AGENDAS

TWO of the most challenging areas of modern policing – family protection and offender management – are to be the focus of a conference organised by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS).

The conference will bring together police officers and police staff who have an interest in the subjects with colleagues from government, education, social work, health and criminal justice who work in these fields.

One of the main aims of the conference is to ensure that good practice is being shared across the agencies involved and that awareness of the work going on in both areas is as high as possible.

Deputy Chief Constable Tom Halpin, of Lothian and Borders Police, has ACPOS responsibility for family protection. He said: “Over the two days of the conference we hope to share ideas and to hear from leading figures from their respective fields.

“These are important and challenging areas for society to deal with and the responsibility does not lie with the police alone but with a wide range of agencies working in partnership. We are constantly developing our approach and our methods of dealing with family protection and offender management issues and conferences such as this help to share fresh ideas.”

Tayside Police Assistant Chief Constable Clive Murray, ACPOS lead on offender management, said: ''The management of sex offenders is a high risk area for all Police Forces.  ACPOS sponsors this type of conference in order that all agencies involved in the management of sex offenders can share best practice, with the ultimate aim of both enhancing community safety and public confidence.  Over the course of the last ten years we have seen a number of changes to legislation which has had a significant impact on the monitoring of sex offenders.  Collectively we are always looking at new ways to manage sex offenders and a number of innovative trials and discussions are ongoing throughout the UK.'' 

Minister for Children and Early Years Adam Ingram said: “Every child in Scotland deserves to be safe and secure as they grow up. Family protection is key to what this government wants to achieve and we are committed to helping end the abuse or neglect of young people at risk.

“By supporting vulnerable children and families early on we can also help break cycles of disadvantage and tackle social ills like crime, poor health and poverty which hold too many people back in Scotland. Working with the police is crucial to ensuring we act quickly, effectively and collaboratively to protect children and families which is why this conference is so important.”