SNP COP CUTS PUTTING PUBLIC AT RISK

Police Federation chief says force is 'at a crossroads' due to funding crisis

- By Ben Borland

POLICING in Scotland is "unsustainable" and there is a public safety risk without more support from the Government.

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) has told MSPs that “goodwill cannot sustain a national service”.

The evidence to Holyrood’s criminal justice committee, published in 1919 Magazine today, comes after Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell appealed for “urgent support”.

She has requested an extra £138.6million in 2026/27 to strengthen the front line, providing funding for 850 officers and 348 staff.

For the current financial year, the Scottish Government provided an increase of £90m.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison is due to unveil her draft budget in January, which is later than normal because it must come after the UK Budget is announced in late November.

SPF general secretary David Kennedy said: "Policing is unique among public services. Officers cannot strike or withdraw their labour.

"This places a moral obligation on government to ensure that they are fairly paid, properly equipped, and sufficiently staffed to keep the public safe.

"While the justice system is interconnected, in our view it is policing that is under the most acute pressure, and without investment in the police service, the wider justice system cannot function."

He added: "Policing in Scotland is at a crossroads. The combination of falling officer numbers, real terms pay cuts, rising demand, and underinvestment in capital budgets has created an unsustainable situation.