Fears are rising over the strength of Police Scotland with six per cent of the current total officer number due to be coming up for retirement in the next year.
Almost 1,000 Police Scotland officers are eligible to retire between now and next summer, new figures have revealed. The overall police headcount has fallen to 16,207, its lowest level since 2007, as fears rise the strength of the force is declining.
David Threadgold, chair of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “Efforts to bring Police Scotland back up to its establishment figure of 16,600 are being hampered because the service simply cannot recruit the number of officers it needs to replace those who are leaving. This will be exacerbated if the number of officers who can retire actually do.
Top news stories today Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain, a former police officer, added: “Officers feel unsupported, overwhelmed and stretched dangerously thin. It is no surprise that so many are quitting. It is no wonder that policing bodies are warning of a public safety crisis.Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “Record police funding of £1.55 billion this year – an increase of £92.
Scottish National Party Justice
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Number of Scots sex offenders on rise - find out how many live in your areaAccording to official statistics from Police Scotland, there are currently 7,120 convicted offenders in Scotland.
Read more »
Family of Motherwell woman killed by police van take legal action against Police ScotlandMargaret McCarron sadly died in hospital after being hit by the marked Ford Transit in Motherwell. Now, three years after the incident her children have brought a case before the Court of Session.
Read more »
New Lanarkshire police and mental health partnership saves 20,000 officer hoursAt Motherwell Police Station, Police Scotland and NHS representatives detailed the benefits of the new approach.
Read more »
Fears of fox hunting comeback in Scotland due to 'loophole' in new banEXCLUSIVE: The League Against Cruel Sports has written to SNP ministers over claims a mounted hunt may have exploited a new licensing scheme to continue the blood sport.
Read more »
Family of woman killed by Police Scotland van launch legal actionMargaret McCarron was killed when she was struck by the marked vehicle in Motherwell.
Read more »
Police Scotland to send 120 officers to Northern Ireland amid far-right riotsJon Boutcher, chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), said his officers are worn out and could not “stand alone to deal with disorder like this any more”.
Read more »