Cop budget is off the cards & public must be protected

Budgets should not come into question when it comes to policing.

But it’s a sad reality of 2023 that everything is being squeezed and cut back.

When innocent members of the public become victims of crime they are counting on officers to help them as their first port of call in a crisis.

They shouldn’t have to worry that they’re might not be enough cash to investigate.

They expect someone to answer the phone when they dial 999.

They want a trained officer to deal with them. The Scottish Government is now exposing the public to the very real risk that these basic expectations will not be met as a result of its latest financial decisions.

Thousands of uniformed officers have left the force over the past few years while recruitment levels are not matching their decline.

And civilian staff, who are vital to getting criminals behind bars, are now the targets for cuts.

Police Scotland’s motto is “Keeping People Safe” but unless at least £74million is found, its current financial crisis means fulf illing that promise will become more difficult.

Also concerning is the decision by the Chief Constable Ian Livingston to take early retirement and claims that deputy Fiona Taylor is also considering leaving before her contract is complete.

Trade unions and police staff have warned that the latest cuts to the force will have a significant impact on what people can expect from policing.

Budgets shouldn’t come into play when it is about protecting the public and prosecuting criminals.

Ministers have to urgently get a grip of their financial priorities.

Rather than spending £400million on botched ferry contracts, inquiries into delayed road upgrades or inf lated salaries for quango chiefs, they need to fund Police Scotland properly so it can do its job – keeping Scotland safe.