I am here talking to  talking to Peter Worsdale project manager  with Audit Scotland, and Andrew Laing, Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland about our  best value  report on Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary.  It is a joint report which looks at the force itself and the police authority which oversees it.
Starting with you Peter, can you just tell us a bit how the police authority is doing?
Well, it does a good job. It demonstrates most aspects of Best Value - which is about making best use of resources to deliver services
We found that working relationships with the Chief Constable were strong and also the police authority has good leadership in place and it links well with the communities and its partners. Councillors are also well informed about the police service and they effectively monitor and challenge the force’s performance 
That sounds all quite positive.  Are there areas where the authority needs to improve on?
Yes, the authority needs to develop its scrutiny of risk, value for money and equalities. It should also provide direction over the transfer to a single force for Scotland next year and this should include the management of assets and finances as part of this. 
Andrew, can I just turn you. Can you tell us about how the force performing?
“The force is performing exceptionally well. Overall crime rates are among the lowest in Scotland and detection rates are above average. It is a very strong, positive performance 
During the inspection we also found that the Chief Constable and the executive team provide effective and visible leadership. They have a very clear strategic vision which is summed up in the Community Promise which addresses issues that most affect the people of Dumfries and Galloway and they appear to understand what that Community Promise is. So it is very positive.
So it seems to be getting most things right then?
Yes.  There is strong evidence to support that. For example, Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary has developed standards of service for engaging with the public.  Recent figures show it has the highest increase in Scotland for user satisfaction, in particular around keeping people informed about the progress of their case. Many forces in Scotland would be well encouraged to look about how they have gone about doing this and to try and achieve similar performance. 
And are there areas where it can do better?
I think as with any organisation, there are opportunities for further improvement. The force should continue to develop its human resources and finance strategies which are responsive to community needs.  The force also needs to maintain and improve performance and work with the police authority on an asset management plan as part of the transfer to a single Scottish force which takes effect next year.

Andrew and Peter, thank you very much.