Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Sturgeon faces inquiries threat
THE inception of a single police force for Scotland took place on April 1 2013.
This was done on economic grounds despite opposition from many senior police officers from the former eight regional forces which made up Scotland’s constabularies.
The amalgamation of these forces was publicised well before the actual date of the new move when even members of the public expressed concern at such a prospect.
Since then, the force has experienced a variety of problems which included the removal of two chief constables from their posts until the appointment of the current chief, Iain Livingstone, who seems to have improved matters all round.
The latest quarterly statistics show that the number of full-time equivalent officers had fallen by over
300, and with new police pension arrangements being implemented there could well be anything up to 1,800 more departures in the not too distant future.
Included in the new pension arrangements is a clause whereby officers can now retire after 25 years without pecuniary disadvantage.
Many of those eligible are senior experienced officers whose loss can only be detrimental to the force, not mention the public.
Now it has emerged that
Jim Sillars, a former deputy leader of the SNP, has formally complained to Police Scotland about a potential “breach of regulations” by the SNP whilst
to in public office. The focus of this inquiry will be the missing document(s) which, if found, may well be the final piece for the Calmac ferries saga.
It is compulsory for all government emails and documentation to be managed properly and retained. Clearly this has not been done.
An inquiry of this nature will require a number of senior experienced officers and may stretch resources to the limit.
The first minister has been ebullient lately after the local election results but, with several major inquiries looming, I believe we shall be hearing even more incriminating allegations which will put even more pressure upon her and hopefully make her ministerial position untenable.
This inept government seems lacking in proper procedures of administration and must be brought to account.