Budget cuts have left policing operating with ‘one hand tied behind its back’, warns Federation
On the eve of the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee police budget scrutiny, the general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation has warned that policing is operating with “one hand tied behind its back”.
“We have been asset stripped and basically used as a cash cow,” said David Kennedy.
“Our current funding difficulties started in 2013 when Police Scotland was formed from the previous eight forces.
“At that time, over £200 million was removed from the annual cost base of policing. That has never been returned so essentially that £200 million has been returned to the public purse every year since and this now amounts to around £2 billion.
“Over these ten years, we have seen around 140 police stations closed, and we are now virtually 1,000 officers short of our highest ever number of 17,496 which we had in 2013.”
He added: “When the First Minister and others show figures of annual budget increases, they ignore the £2 billion we have lost, and their figures barely cover annual increasing costs.
“In our assessment, the situation is now critical and public safety and security are at risk.
“We have been policing with one hand tied behind our backs and public service is suffering.
“I don’t think you would find many people, whether members of the public or police officers, who would say that Police Scotland has been a success.
“Undoubtedly, if we had been properly funded we would have done a better job, but I regret to say that right now our budget problems are causing huge difficulties.”
Mr Kennedy said as a result, its members have reported violence, lack of back-up, stress, burnout and anxiety.
In addition they have experienced family disruption, poor office accommodation, equipment not working or overdue for replacement.
“Dangerously low officer numbers” have led to overwork, pressure to cut corners, lack of supervision and training, and an inability to take days off, said Mr Kennedy.
In some instances, calls from the public are often deferred for days.
“Operational Base Levels are regularly breached, and this has significant implications for public and police officer safety,” said Mr Kennedy.
“If this situation persists it is only a matter of time before a tragedy is caused by this.”
He added: “A drastically reduced overtime budget can have perverse effects.
“At the end of shifts inquiries are passed to incoming officers, and this risks mistakes and misunderstandings.
“It also increases the numbers of police witnesses when it gets to court and this can often lead to increased overtime costs at court.
“It is a false economy.”