Control room loses contact with beat PCs
The breakdown occurred on Friday and Saturday – among the busiest times for police. was in progress. It’s completely unfair of Police Scotland to reduce hardworking officers in Dundee to the role of Keystone Cops.”
And George McIrvine, branch secretary for Unison police staff, said officers and civilian staff had been in contact with the trade union to express concern. He added: “This is a very concerning health and safety issue for both the public and the officers and staff involved.”
Crime in Aberdeen is now covered by staff in Dundee after the Granite City’s control room closed earlier this year as part of a controversial money- saving move by Police Scotland.
The cash- strapped single force also plans to shift operations in Inverness to the City of Discovery, with a decision expected in August.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Police Authority, the single force’s watchdog, said backup plans are in place for breakdowns that could impact on the day to day running of the force.
She added: “There was minimal impact internally and we are confident that there was no impact in the local area. The SPA regularly provides oversight and assurance of Police Scotland’s performance in relation to call handling.”
Martin Leven, Police Scotland’s director of ICT, said: “Police Scotland, in line with other organisations, encounters ICT issues from time to time. On Friday, July 7, our site in Dundee encountered some issues with its Integrated Communications Control System.
“Our tried and tested business continuity plans which support the organisation were put in place and worked well. There was little or no impact on local officers.
“There have been some smaller and sporadic re- occurrences since and our investigation into the cause of the incident has confirmed a problem within the third party software system.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Ministers expect the SPA to have robust processes in place to monitor Police Scotland’s performance in relation to all aspects of call handling.”