Covid-19 Police Scotland Response

Scottish Autism has been working closely with Police Scotland throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to gain feedback from the autistic community to help inform their policing response and ensure everyone’s safety.  Police Scotland’s Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie has issued a community reassurance message. This is in response to concerns and reports from various communities of being inappropriately challenged by the public during the Covid-19 pandemic. In this message, Police Scotland urge the public to consider the fact that some groups of people are exempt from certain Covid-19 guidelines and to be considerate. They have issued guidance to frontline police officers and staff to ensure they are mindful of these exemptions when engaging with people. Whilst many of those exempt from wearing face coverings may carry a card to indicate their exemption, Police Scotland officers will not ask people to provide any evidence of an exemption or disability. Police Scotland is committed to keeping everyone safe and protecting all communities. You can view the message here.

About the Officers
Chief Superintendent David Duncan joined Strathclyde Police in 1995 and has served in uniform and detective roles in the west of Scotland and been on secondment to Scottish Government and local authorities. On the formation of Police Scotland, David has performed duties as Superintendent in Specialist Crime Division and in Ayrshire Division. He was promoted to Chief Superintendent, Head of Safer Communities in 2019.
David has been involved in partnership working and preventative activity throughout his policing career.

Police Constable Stephanie Rose joined Strathclyde Police in 1997. She initially worked in response policing and then community policing in the Anderston area of Glasgow before taking on a role as a local diversity officer.
On the formation of Police Scotland she continued in the local diversity role and after some time back in community policing she took up her current post within the equality and diversity unit of the Safer Communities Department.