Central forces faces cut in police numbers

Jamie MacDonald • Published 1 Sep 2010 16:24 0 Comments

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There could be fewer officers on the streets as budget cuts are expected to lead to a reduction in numbers.

ALMOST a quarter of Central Scotland Police officer posts could go as the force struggles to accommodate crippling budget cuts.

Chief Constable Kevin Smith told the area's Joint Police Board on Friday that he expects the squeeze on public sector finances to lead to a reduction of between 12 and 24 per cent in its finances over a four year period.

If the worst case scenario comes true the down-sizing would lead to 194 officers being removed from front-line duties across the force area.

With almost 90 per cent of police funding spent on staff Mr Smith says it is "absolutely clear" the bulk of savings will be focused on job cuts.

As well as the reduction in police officers, a total of 180 police staff posts would also go in a bid to save a total of £11.6 million overall by 2015.

Local police stations - such as Alloa South East, Sauchie, Tillicoultry and Tullibody - are earmarked for closure as part of an effort to lower property costs by £245,000.

Mr Smith said, "It is unavoidable, we are looking at staff cuts. There will be some difficult decisions."

Redundancy is likely to be offered and staff leaving will not be replaced. However, at present police officers with less than 30 years service cannot be made redundant and if there is no change in this rule police staff would bear the brunt of the cutbacks. Mr Smith said it could lead to police officers performing roles - such as reception work - previously carried out by staff.

He said, "The only option I would have, incredibly, is to take police officers and put them in staff roles. It is a very real issue for us."

Around £1 million is expected to be saved through a reduction in training, conferences, occupational health provision, uniform provision, advertising and the use of long term insurance contracts.

Mr Smith added that no final decisions had been taken as yet and they were examining the possibilities of working in partnership with other forces and local authorities.

The Chief Constable went on, "It is about getting as much savings through collaboration as possible before we look at job cuts. The likelihood of significant savings is not high.

"We have to look at new models of policing and work is going on within the force to establish what that will be. The nature of the service will require to be remodelled."

Clackmannanshire councillor George Matchett chaired the police board meeting.

He said, "It is a concern to me and every other member of the police board. We have to take cognisance of a drop of 12 to 24 per cent in the budget.

"We will not know the final position until later in the year and none of us really know what the figure will be. The Chief Constable has looked at the worst case scenario and worked back.

"Nobody wants to see this happen. If you lose that type of staff one would expect it to have an affect on crime and other aspects of policing in the community."

During the meeting it was revealed that Deputy Chief Constable Iain MacLeod would be retiring after 34 years service with the police. Members of the police board enquired if, in view of the current circumstances, Mr MacLeod would be replaced.

They were informed that it is a statutory requirement under the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 that each force must have a deputy chief constable and an appointment would have to be made.

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