Police Scotland officer numbers fall to two-year low
Police Scotland’s officer numbers have fallen to their lowest level in two years, according to the latest Scottish Government workforce statistics.
The quarterly figures show there were 16,322 full-time equivalent police officers on 30 June 2026, down 108 from the previous quarter and 105 fewer than at the same point last year.
The reduction leaves officer numbers at their lowest level since June 2024 and continues a gradual decline over the past 12 months.
The Scottish Government statistics also show there were 29.4 police officers per 10,000 people in Scotland at the end of June, compared with 29.6 three months earlier.
The figures prompted renewed concern from the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which warned that frontline policing is coming under increasing pressure.
David Kennedy, the SPF’s general secretary, told 1919 magazine that Police Scotland was “treading water” as officer numbers continued to fall.
He said the service was struggling to replace officers leaving the organisation quickly enough and warned that continued reductions risked placing greater strain on those remaining in frontline roles.
Police Scotland has previously said officer numbers naturally fluctuate throughout the year as recruitment campaigns, retirements and resignations affect workforce levels, and that it continues to recruit new officers.
The quarterly workforce statistics are published by the Scottish Government and monitor police officer strength across Scotland.