Minutes: 18 May 2022

1. Policing and mental health:

The Committee took evidence in a round-table discussion from—

Dr Inga Heyman, Associate Professor, Edinburgh Napier University;

Alan Staff, Chief Executive, Apex Scotland;

Martyn Evans, Chair, Scottish Police Authority;

David Hamilton, Chair, Scottish Police Federation;

Assistant Chief Constable John Hawkins, ACC Local Policing North and Superintendent Mairi Macinnes,Criminal Justice Services Division, Police Scotland .

2. Tackling online child abuse, grooming and exploitation:

The Committee took evidence in a round-table discussion from—

Stuart Allardyce, Director, Stop it Now! Scotland, Lucy Faithfull Foundation;

Gina Wilson, Head of Strategy, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland;

Alison Penman, Child Protection Sub Group, Social Work Scotland;

Joanne Smith, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, NSPCC Scotland;

Assistant Chief Constable Bex Smith, ACC Major Crime, Public Protection & Local Crime, Police Scotland;

Miles Bonfield, Deputy Director Investigations North, National Crime Agency.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Framework) Order 2022 (SSI 2022/119)

The Committee had no recommendations to make in relation to the instrument but agreed to write to the Scottish Government and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

4. Proposed Bail and Release from Custody Bill:

The Committee considered its recent visit to the Wise Group in Glasgow to discuss issues in relation to this Bill. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Prison Service and the Scottish Government.

5. Work programme (In Private):

The Committee considered its work programme. The Committee agreed to write to the Faculty of Advocates and the Scottish Government.