COP CASH CRISIS STAFF CUT FEARS

Top brass told job's face being axed and their could be freeze in recruitment to help fund pay award

- MARK MCGIVERN

SKINT Police Scotland top brass have summoned all commanders to warn of impending staff cuts needed to scrape together a pay award.

The Record can reveal that all divisional commanders were this week called to a crisis meeting online, where they were also told of a recruitment freeze.

They were told on Tuesday the force has already overspent £19million this year.

Top officers were ordered to "cascade" the warning throughout the force via a series of localised meetings, to allow the grim reality of reduced funding from the Scottish Government to sink in.

Force sources have said the current officer level of about 16,600 will be maintained but voluntary redundancies will be sought in staff jobs.