Police force reported to health and safety watchdog over tests

Fears breathalysing those suspected of drink-driving endangers officers

Police Scotland has been reported to the health and safety watchdog over the use of breath tests on suspected drinkdrivers, due to fears that officers may be exposed to coronavirus.

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) said there were safer alternatives which should be used in the fight against drinkdriving.

In a letter to members, general secretary Calum Steele said the SPF had taken the “extraordinary step” of reporting the force to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Speaking to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland radio programme, he said senior officers had failed to engage with their concerns for two weeks.

He said: “The simple reality is that we’re asking police officers to perform a procedure when much safer alternatives are available that have in no way, shape or form a hindering ability on the police service to tackle the scourge of drinkdriving.”

In discussions with the SPF after 14 days the force said their position on the use of breath tests was “defensible”, Mr Steele told the programme.

He said that in obvious cases of “blind drunken driving” other powers could be used which did not require a breath test.

Asked if people were still drinkdriving during the lockdown, he said: “Astonishingly, yes.

The SPF’s panel of scientific and medical experts supported its stance.

The organisation says testing urine samples would be a safer alternative to identify drink-drivers.

Police officers who carry out roadside breath tests have been told to wear masks and gloves, with the option of tougher PPE if coronavirus is suspected.

In response to the SPF’s claims, Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: “We follow the advice and direction of Health Protection Scotland (HPS), the Health and Safety Executive and the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and apply a comprehensive operational policing risk assessment when developing guidance for officers and staff.”

A force spokesman added: “It is not correct to say that Police Scotland did not engage for 14 days following contact from the SPF on this matter.”

It is understood contact was made via letters and phone calls during that period.

The simple reality is that we’re asking police officers to perform a procedure when much safer alternatives are available. CALUM STEELE

Picture: PA. Road Traffic constable John Parry from Police Scotland demonstrates breathalyser equipment at a drink-drive limit change awareness event at Lockerbie Police Station.