A leading politician has blasted the “vanity” policing operation at the Commonwealth Games, following warnings Dundee is being left unprotected.
Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has blasted the security arrangements for the games, after “a growing crescendo of complaints” that officers’ welfare is being neglected and communities are being left underprotected.
A number of police sources have contacted The Courier claiming that Dundee has as few as half the required officers available to respond to emergency calls at certain times.
One source suggested that Dundonians are being left at risk, and officers’ lives being put in danger, because of the lack of cover.
The source also explained that those who have been seconded to Glasgow to help police the games have to work upwards of 100 hours a week leaving many feeling demoralised and unfit for work.
He added that one female police officer wet herself after being denied any comfort breaks on a 12-hour shift.
Mr Rennie, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: “The sacrifices that ordinary police officers are making are simply unacceptable. To require officers to work or travel to work for 100 hours a week is pushing their professionalism to the limit.
“The growing crescendo of complaints is reaching a level unknown from police officers but it is understandable coming after a chaotic year of reorganisation to a national, centralised police force.
“We need an urgent assurance from Kenny MacAskill that he did maximise the mutual aid provisions.
“That is those provisions that exist to aid police forces who have to cope with a rise in demand like at big events such as the Commonwealth Games.
“It is police officers, not the JusticeSecretary, that are paying the price with these hours and conditions and it is communities that are being denuded of the police service they deserve and need.
“Whilst the games have been an amazing success we should not forget that this has come at a price to working lives of ordinary officers.”
Responding to Mr Rennie’s comments, a Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Police staffing is an operational matter for Police Scotland.
“We are confident that they have made appropriate plans to ensure that Glasgow delivers a successful and safe games while communities across Scotland continue to have appropriate police cover.”
In relation to mutual aid, she added: “This is simply not the case mutual aid is an independent operational matter for the chief constable and decisions are taken without input from the Scottish Government or Ministers.”
Speaking for Police Scotland, DCC Steve Allen said: “The welfare of every officer is important to the command team leading on the operation.
“A detailed resource plan has been developed to make sure that there are sufficient police officers policing the games as well as making sure that sufficient police resources remain in our communities to continue to keep people safe.”