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Edinburgh Reporter
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
New probationers swear amended oath of office that includes duty of candour
One hundred probationers have 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. Like this: Like Related
STV News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- STV News
Duty of candour in new police oath should reassure public, senior officer says
A cohort of police recruits has become the first to swear a newly amended oath of office, with a senior police officer saying a new duty of candour should 'reassure' the public. The new oath was sworn by 100 recruits at the Police Scotland College in Jackton, near Glasgow, on Thursday afternoon. Unlike the previous oath, it includes a duty of candour, which 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 in total, with 34 requiring legislative change to be implemented. Police Scotland explained that the new duty – which brings the total number in the oath up to 11 – means officers 'act with openness, professionalism and truthfulness in their dealings and proceedings'. It also makes clear, the force explained, that officers attend interviews and assist and participate in proceedings 'openly, promptly and professionally, in line with the expectations of a police constable'. Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs, who was present at the swearing-in ceremony, said existing officers will not be required to go back and swear the revised oath. 'I think officers are in a very privileged position,' he said. 'I think the public should be reassured that with us introducing candour into our oath of office, it just gives a greater focus on their trust, transparency and professionalism. 'But that's a standard that we expect from the officers who are currently serving. So this is just an adjustment, and we wouldn't expect officers to undertake another oath of office.' He added: '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 June 25 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.' In an interview with the PA Media news agency, Mr Speirs was also asked how he would ensure the new cohort of recruits does not suffer the levels of 'burnout' reported among officers across Scotland. According to recent figures, last year the number of officers taking time off work because of psychological conditions including stress, depression and PTSD stood at 1,236, compared with 814 in 2021. Figures released earlier this year also showed that since 2019 mental health issues have led to officers taking a total of 440,630 days off, leading many commentators to describe the force as being at 'breaking point'. Mr Speirs acknowledged the demands on policing are 'huge', and that policing is 'a role like like no other'. He continued: 'So we work really hard to ensure that we have wellbeing at the heart of everything we do, and we have a lot of provision to support officers when they're dealing with more traumatic incidents. 'What I would say is that the calibre of our recruits is really good. We have a rich pool of people seeking to join the police, and we're very, very selective. 'Those we bring forward, and those who will take the oath of office this week, have just embarked on a very intensive initial training programme, but that programme continues over over the next two years 'So we'll work hard in the training phase to prepare our new recruits – who have got lots of life experience – for what they might face as a police officer.' The officer also paid tribute to the recruits for 'stepping forward to keep our communities safe'. '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.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Edinburgh Reporter
17-05-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
The General Assembly opens in Edinburgh
The General Assembly 2025 opened in Edinburgh at the Assembly Hall on The Mound on Saturday and will continue until Thursday. The Rt Hon Lady Elish Angiolini LT, DBE, PC, KC, FRSE, represented His Majesty King Charges at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on Saturday. Lady Angiolini said that people are the creation of God and all require 'love, forgiveness and support' in all their imperfection. She said she was profoundly honoured to be chosen as the first practising Roman Catholic to be Lord High Commissioner at the annual gathering which began in Edinburgh today. Lady Elish's appointment was only made possible after both Houses of Parliament in London changed a law dating back to 1689 that barred Roman Catholics from holding the role. Addressing the General Assembly, she said: 'I am so pleased to be here with you all and particularly pleased I actually made it here. 'I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who helped secure my presence here today.' Her Grace said she believed that prejudice and sectarianism can be overcome by the recognition that we are 'all Jock Tamson's bairns'. Lady Elish said she was 11 when she remembered how that 'essential love of humanity' manifested in January 1971 when there was a crush among the crowd at an Old Firm football game at Ibrox, which caused 66 deaths and more than 200 injuries. Her father and neighbours went to the aid of people caught up in the tragedy. Lady Elish said: 'I, in turn, was on the receiving end of such compassion when I was a victim in the front carriage of the train when the Polmont rail disaster occurred in 1984 'Again, it was the kindness of complete strangers, other passengers, that I recollect to this day, as I lay trapped in the wreckage, comforted by their love and compassion as they teased me about how hopeless Celtic was to distract me from the horror of the situation we were in.' Read all of the reports and documents for the General Assembly 2025 here. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day One. Moderator Rt Reverend Rosie Frew is installed as Moderator in a ceremony at New College, Edinburgh. Her Grace Lady Elish Angiolini is Lord High Commissioner representing the King during the Assembly week. Pictured with at left First Minister for Scotland, John Swinney. Her Grace Lady Elish Angiolini is Lord High Commissioner representing the King during the Assembly week. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day One. First Minister John Swinney and the Rt Hon Lord Provost Robert Aldridge left watch on as Her Grace Lady Elish Angiolini is Lord High Commissioner representing the King during the Assembly week. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day One. Moderator Rt Reverend Rosie Frew is installed as Moderator in a ceremony at New College, Edinburgh. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day One. Moderator Rt Reverend Rosie Frew is installed as Moderator in a ceremony at New College, Edinburgh. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day One. Moderator Rt Reverend Rosie Frew is installed as Moderator in a ceremony at New College, Edinburgh. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day one. Pictured left Her Grace Lady Elish Angiolini. Like this: Like Related
STV News
16-05-2025
- General
- STV News
Royal Navy to guard Edinburgh Castle for first time
Sailors from across the Royal Navy say it is a 'privilege and honour' to guard Edinburgh Castle for the first time in history. The sailors are guarding the castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh from Friday until May 22 as Lady Elish Angiolini is welcomed as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. It marks the first occasion where the Navy has carried out such a task, with sailors in full uniform ahead of a senior service march for the arrival parade on Friday to welcome Lady Angiolini into the city at the Ceremony of the Keys. LPhot Stuart Dickson/Royal Navy The Royal Navy performed a dress rehearsal of the guard of honour. The duty is normally carried out by the British Army. Warrant Officer 1 Glynn 'Moffs' Moffat, the Royal Navy's state ceremonial training officer, said: 'It is a tremendous privilege and honour for the Royal Navy to be granted the unique opportunity, for the first time in history, to mount the ceremonial guard at both Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. 'These men and women, having so proudly represented the Royal Navy during the VE Day commemorations, now carry that same sense of duty and pride into the heart of Edinburgh. 'This historic moment follows a remarkable period in which the Royal Navy took centre stage as the lead service at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – another proud chapter in our enduring relationship with the city and its traditions. 'As someone who served aboard HMS Edinburgh and had the honour of marching her ship's company up the Royal Mile when we were granted the Freedom of the City in 2013, it's incredibly special to return under such historic circumstances. It truly feels like coming home.' The sailors have been rehearsing their routine alongside their colleagues in the Army, with drill instructors from both regiments at Redford Barracks ensuring they are up to scratch. A rehearsal took place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Wednesday, before a full dress rehearsal for the inspecting officer of His Majesty's Governor of Edinburgh Castle, Major General Bob Bruce, on Thursday. The officer passed the guard of honour fit for duties. Brigadier Andrew Muddiman, Naval regional commander for Scotland and Northern Ireland, will be in attendance for the royal salute. He said: 'The General Assembly week is an important fixture in the Scottish calendar, and I'm delighted that this year the Royal Navy is able to provide the ceremonial support, from the Ceremony of the Keys to the individual guard mounts at the palace and Edinburgh Castle. 'It's a privilege to be in attendance for Lady Angiolini as the Lord High Commissioner as she inspects the Guard of Honour and meets our young sailors. 'For some this will be their first time in Edinburgh, for others a welcome return to the city. 'This is an opportunity for the Royal Navy to showcase its ceremonial skill and precision to the people of Scotland, who will not be disappointed.' The appointment of Lady Angiolini, a practising Roman Catholic, is a reflection of the historic declaration of friendship between the Kirk and the Catholic Church in Scotland. The Lord High Commissioner is the King's personal representative at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which meets in May each year. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
