Thinner blue line

Staff crisis as officers retire early

- ALAN MCEWEN

POLICE Scotland faces losing several senior figures over the coming months amid a retirement boom among officers at all levels.

Assistant Chief Constable Kenny MacDonald retires next month, while Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr will leave in the new year.

DCC Kerr is set to take up the post of chief constable with Devon and Cornwall Police.

Both departures have already been confirmed but a Scottish Police Authority (SPA) memo says the force is "anticipating further senior officers may retire in the coming months".

Of the 11 remaining senior officers in the executive team, more than half have either served for 30 years or are fast approaching that milestone, according to findings published by 1919 Magazine, which covers justice and social affairs in Scotland.

And in a stark letter from police chiefs to MSPs there is a fresh warning of cops quitting early because of pension changes.