Police: Check officers’ identity
Police Scotland last night introduced an officer verification process to provide reassurance to any member of the public who may be concerned about whether or not they are being spoken to by a genuine police officer working alone.
The move follows public concern following the murder of Sarah Everard, who was strangled by police officer Wayne Couzens after kidnapping her during a false arrest.
Police Scotland says on-duty officers operating on their own will now offer to carry out a verification check for anyone they come across who appears to be concerned for their safety. A member of the public can also request that a verification check be done. The force says that although police officers normally work in pairs in Scotland and it is very rare for a lone police officer to approach a member of the public, there are occasions when this could happen. The new process, introduced yesterday, will allow for the officer’s personal radio to be put on loudspeaker and for the Police Scotland Control Room to confirm their identity, that they are on duty and the reason the officer is speaking to person.
Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr said: “The appalling circumstances of Sarah Everard’s murder have deeply affected people and many are now understandably concerned about verifying an officer’s identity.”