Labour Fears Over Police Cuts

Police Scotland Is being criticised for its silence following a number of controversies involving the single force.

Scottish Labour are calling on chief constable Stephen House to speak out. They say he has rarely been seen since announcing in August he's standing down.

It has been revealed recently that less than half of Scottish police officers are on frontline duties. A senior officer is believed to have described 2 control room closures as 'cost-cutting measures'.

Scottish Labour's Justice Spokesperson Graeme Pearson, who is a former Deputy Chief Constable, said: "Every day brings more bad news about Police Scotland. The recent staff survey revealed around a third of officers wanted to quit the force. Now we find that most of the Deputy Chief Constables and Assistant Chief Constables want to do the same. That cannot be good for staff morale.

"The news that in Tayside up to five per cent of beat officers are being transferred into the control room to cover gaps is also concerning.

"After the report into the M9 crash, closure of the control rooms in Aberdeen and Inverness was put on hold. Now we hear from the Association of Police Superintendents that the reason behind the closure plans is not strategic, simply financial, a way to save money.

"And still not a word from Chief Constable, Sir Stephen House, who seems to have disappeared after announcing his intention to step down leaving Police Scotland leaderless.

"It is also remarkable that Michael Matheson, who has political responsibility for Police Scotland, has had no meetings with Sir Stephen since the summer. That is a dereliction of duty. Last week the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, declared he had her "full confidence," well he doesn't have mine and I suspect there will be many in communities across Scotland,worried about the levels of policing in their area, who will feel the same way.

"It is clear, too many police officers are sitting in offices instead of out in their communities.  Police reform was supposed to deliver a new way of working across law enforcement.  If this is an example of how it is done under the SNP then it's time for a change of government."