Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary Gains Charter M

Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary has achieved a first in Scotland by gaining Charter Mark for the fifth time in a row. The force first attained Charter Mark status in 1993. Aimed at public-sector organisations, Charter Mark is the Government’s UK-wide standard for excellence in customer service. It is a lever for change, a powerful tool to help everyone in an organisation focus on, constantly review and improve customer service. Organisations with the standard have the right to display the prestigious Charter Mark logo. “Gaining Charter Mark for the fifth time is a great achievement and I’m delighted that our hard work, energy and commitment have been recognised,” says Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary Chief Constable David Strang. “By holding Charter Mark, this force gives a clear message that we uphold the highest standards and use the best technology to deliver a high-quality service.” Charter Mark Assessment Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary selected SGS to carry out its Charter Mark assessment. “We chose SGS through the recommendation of a partner organisation,” says Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary Inspector Alan Cook. “SGS’ staff were polite and efficient, and SGS’ assessor was positive in his approach and flexible and supportive throughout. He was obviously highly experienced in dealing with Charter Mark applications. “By using external auditors such as SGS to look through our processes and procedures, it helps to ensure the force remains focused on delivering the service the public wants and expects.” Early in the assessment, a small team from Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary collected and compiled the evidence required to meet 63 Charter Mark criteria. This process included contacting many officers, partner groups and agencies. SGS’ assessment report was positive and highlighted only a few areas requiring review. These are already being addressed, placing the force on a sound footing for a Charter Mark inspection in December 2006. Ends

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