Force plans to become bilingual

Police Scotland has launched a five-year plan to enhance Gaelic within the force in a “cost neutral” attempt to become bilingual. The Police Scotland logo will now be branded in both English and Gaelic, and will encourage officers to learn the language. The public will be able to report crimes and receive responses from officers in Gaelic – a language just two per cent of the population in Scotland currently speak. Assistant Chief Constable Andrew Cowie, lead for the Gaelic language plan, is “delighted” to see it finally launched. He said: “The importance of upholding traditional and native languages cannot be underestimated and as a police service we recognise Gaelic as an important aspect of Scotland’s heritage. “It also has a significant role to play in the overall wellbeing of communities and the country as a whole. “I look forward with great enthusiasm to taking on the recommendations contained in the plan and developing the service’s involvement with Gaelic speakers and communities where Gaelic is the dominant tongue.” Scottish Police Authority Chief Executive Officer John Foley added: “The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 was passed by the Scottish Parliament with the aim of securing the status of the Gaelic language as an official language of Scotland, in equal status to the English language. “Following a public consultation process, the plans launched today will deliver our commitments over the next five years on a cost neutral basis given the financial challenges faced across the public sector.” However, some say this plan will divert attention from more important issues, such as the current staffing issues within Police Scotland. Conservative justice spokesman Douglas Ross said: “Gaelic is an important part of the fabric in some communities, but in many parts of Scotland people have little or no connection with it. “Where the language is regularly spoken, the police already use Gaelic. This national plan will only serve as a distraction at a time when we should be concentrating on improving policing in Scotland. “Rather than waste time and effort on this, they should be attempting to tackle the staffing and funding issues currently facing the force.”