Commenting on Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell’s evidence to Holyrood’s criminal justice committee this week, calling for increased funding, UNISON Scotland Police Staff branch secretary David Malcolm said:
“The Scottish government needs to listen to the chief constable’s request for additional cash so Police Scotland can recruit and retain the staff it desperately needs.
“Staff are working beyond reasonable limits due to years of cuts and underinvestment. UNISON has received multiple reports from the forces’ staff who say they’re experiencing unsustainable workloads leading to burnout and stress.
“Workers in area control rooms, custody and information management are particularly affected by severe staff shortages leaving them struggling to maintain essential services.
“Staff are expected to work overtime, stay late, and show unreasonable flexibility. Stress-related absences are becoming the norm and the situation has reached breaking point. The Scottish government should act quickly to fix vital services that help protect the public.”
Notes for editors:
– Police staff include 999 call takers, emergency dispatchers, scenes of crime officers, custody officers, financial investigators, crime analysts, fingerprint experts, counter-terrorism specialists, cyber-crime investigators, digital forensic staff, CCTV operators and many other roles.
– UNISON is the largest union in Scotland with its members delivering police services, social care, education, local government, NHS, utilities and energy. They are employed in public, private and voluntary sectors.