Police forces facing recruitment dilemma
More police forces across Scotland have announced recruitment freezes ahead of expected public sector funding cuts.
Tayside Police is still recruiting officers, although the situation may change in the months ahead as budgets come under increasing strain.
Financial pressures have led three Scottish forces to announce they are freezing recruitment.
Next month's planned intake to the Scottish Police College of 100 probationary officers from Strathclyde Police force is not now going ahead.
Strathclyde Police human resources director John Gillies said, "We have more or less stopped recruiting police staff over the past few months and today we are formalising that."
Tayside Police is wrestling with the same budgetary pressures and has set up a strategy group to consider "tough decisions" required over the coming months.
The Transforming Tayside project is committed to maintaining a "high standard of community policing," but is looking at savings that can be made across the force.
The project has three main strands — efficiency savings, a review of organisational structures and best value from civilian staff.
A spokeswoman for Tayside Police said there was no recruitment freeze on new staff in the region, but added the position may change in the months to come.
Fife Constabulary is reviewing its position. A spokeswoman said, "At this time Fife Constabulary has not put a freeze on recruitment, either for officers or police staff.
"Like other public sector organisations we await confirmation of the impending budget cuts and, depending on the severity of these cuts, we may need to revisit this position."
Grampian Police is also reviewing its position. A spokesman said, "We are committed to our autumn intake of new officers.
"We are, in common with the rest of the public sector, reviewing our position and we will be submitting proposals for discussion to the Grampian joint police board in due course."
Lothian and Borders Police and Dumfries and Galloway have followed the lead of Strathclyde in deciding against taking on new staff.
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