Today, international Human Rights Day, marks the launch of SNAP, Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights.
Police Scotland is committed to ensuring that policing in Scotland upholds the human rights of everyone, both police officers and members of the public. We are pleased to support SNAP and to consider how we can strengthen understanding and application of human rights in our work keeping people safe.
Today Police Scotland is able to announce a series of steps which it will take to further the integration of a human rights based approach to policing in Scotland. As part of its commitment to delivering the SNAP, Police Scotland will identify opportunities to further embed human rights within the structures and culture of policing. These will include:
· Strengthening accountability for the respect of human rights.
· Strengthening training on human rights for the police.
· Ensure adequate training and awareness raising on human trafficking, and improving monitoring and data collection of certain actions.
Deputy Chief Constable Neil Richardson said: “Police Scotland welcomes the opportunity provided in SNAP to work together with other public bodies and voluntary organisations to pursue justice and safety through upholding human rights. That is something Police Scotland is deeply committed to achieve. We are confident that a human rights based approach to policing is an effective way of policing our communities and ensuring peoples’ safety. There is always room to consider how we as a society can do things better and ensure greater consistency in upholding the rights of everyone. Police Scotland is delighted to be a part of achieving the vision of SNAP – that Scotland is a country in which everyone is able to live with human dignity.”
Professor Alan Miller, Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission and Chair of the Drafting Group of SNAP said: “I very much welcome the commitment of Police Scotland to contribute towards the implementation of Scotland’s first National Action Plan for Human Rights. The police service has a critical role to play in both respecting and protecting the human rights of everyone. The further development of police training in human rights, including a particular reference to trafficking, will build upon the Code of Ethics of Police Scotland and is a very important component of SNAP.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
