ONE of the cornerstones of a modern democratic state is the concept of policing by consent.
It follows that any initiative that reduces feelings of alienation within society - or a section of it - is to be welcomed.
Police Scotland, therefore, is to be congratulated for moving to better understand and address concerns within the country's largest immigrant community.
Scotland is now a diverse, multi-cultural country. Some seven per cent of the community was born outside the UK according to the last census, and it is perhaps understandable that our police force does not truly reflect that diversity. It is certainly not for a want of trying.
The dichotomy can be most tellingly observed when one considers the case of the Polish community in Scotland. The number of migrants has soared twenty-fold since Poland joined the European Union in 2004 - there are now upwards of 56,000 living here. We have as many Polish speakers as Gaelic speakers.
Their influence has been largely positive. These new Scots have settled all over the country. Many have married and started families here, bringing a much-needed boost to a nation struggling to deal with the problems associated with a falling birth rate. They have taken up employment and started businesses, contributing to the economy both in terms of tax revenue and jobs. Many of us will have Polish friends, neighbours or colleagues.
The issue that Police Scotland has had to come to terms with is a simple one: how do you a police a community when you struggle to speak to it? Police Scotland already has a handful of officers recruited from the Polish community, but a gap has been identified in staffing.
That is why a network of Scots police officers with the remit of engaging with Polish communities is to be set up. Talks have taken place with the head of International Co-operation at the Polish National Police HQ in Warsaw over the possibility of seconding two officers from the Polish National Police to Scotland, who will help provide cultural and linguistic support. Together, those involved can share good practice, information and experience among colleagues.
London's Metropolitan Police has already recruited officers from Poland and Romania to focus more clearly on the increasing internationalisation of crime, but this Scottish initiative could not be described as a knee-jerk response to any perceived increase in the police's workload. Figures show that nine per cent of all police incidents involve a foreign national, but that is not significantly out of kilter with the ratios involved. The Polish community is largely and commendably law-abiding.
However, any difficulties that may arise can only be eased with a greater understanding of our differences. Speaking late last year, Maciej Dokurno of Fife Migrant Forum said: "I don't think the Polish community would particularly want to see Polish officers patrol Scottish streets, but they would welcome their help in training officers here and provide valuable contacts in helping with issues like missing persons."
This is certainly a case where the long arm of the law will be all the better for having received a helping hand.
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