This work is undertaken to meet both local policing needs and to assist the Security Service in carrying out its statutory duty under the Security Service Acts of 1989 and 1996. It follows that there is a national and international dimension to the work of Special Branch departments but the importance of their role in providing intelligence to Chief Constables on more local issues should not be under-estimated. All departments enjoy good day to day working relationships with a number of customers and stakeholders which is underpinned by regular liaison. One force has also developed a departmental Service Standard document which lays out the level of service the department will provide to the force.
Good practice is shared in Scotland via the HSBs meetings and at national level forums.
A cross-section of Special Branch staff were found to attend and in some cases address conferences, seminars and training courses. Special Branch representatives are actively involved in national level working groups. For Special Branch departments, internal consultation and co-operation at force level takes place through meetings with senior management in divisions. Often there are specific divisional liaison officers who have a responsibility to raise awareness of Special Branch work and seek support for specific issues on which intelligence is required. In some forces, however, divisional visits were found to be somewhat ad hoc and scope exists in those forces for a more structured approach.