'Every rank is paid less than when the force was founded'

Conference in Cumbernauld today. Among the audience will be Justice Secretary Angela Constance along with the chief constable.

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According to the ASPS, Ms Farrell faces a Sophie’s Choice when it comes to the future of the service — either reduce police officer numbers or slash police officer pay.

This is reference to the 1979 Hollywood blockbuster which saw Meryl Streep play an Auschwitz inmate forced to choose between her daughter and son as to who should be sent to the gas chamber.

Since Police Scotland was established in 2013, the number of senior police officers at superintendent and chief superintendent rank has reduced by a third.

ASPS president Rob Hay will tell delegates: “Policing in Scotland needs more government investment.

“Talks of a ‘record-policing budget’ don’t account for inflation-ary pressures and the policing budget has not kept pace with the demands on the service either. How do I know that?

“It is no secret the chief constable has spoken about the dilemma she faces in this year’s pay negotiation.

“Without assistance from the Scottish Government, the chief faces the stark choice of cannibalising the service to afford to offer a pay rise that is above inflation.