The Open at St Andrews likely to take hit as police officers ‘withdraw goodwill’ in pay row

By Alasdair Clark

June 29 2022, 3:54pm

The policing operation at the golf tournament could be impacted.

The 150th Open at St Andrews is likely to be hit as police officers protest over pay.

The Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank and file cops across the country, announced a nationwide “withdrawal of goodwill” on Wednesday, dubbed the most radical industrial action by officers since the 1970s.

It comes amid a row with the Scottish Government over pay and conditions.

From 5pm on Friday officers will only work overtime if lawfully ordered to do so, and will also end “goodwill” practices such as turning up early for work and transporting their PPE to different police stations.

Police officers are legally prohibited from taking industrial action in the same way other public service workers can, but are able to take action short of a strike.

Police pay row likely to hit Open in St Andrews

The chairman of the federation’s east area committee, which covers Fife, says the action is likely to force Police Scotland’s hand when it comes to policing the 150th Open in St Andrews.

Up to 290,000 spectators and competitors are expected to descend on the north-east Fife town in July, with a significant policing operation already in place for the golf event.

But Andy Malcolm, a police inspector and full time official with the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), thinks plans may have to be changed following the withdrawal of goodwill.

He told The Courier: “It will have an effect, likely a significant impact on the delivery which the service will need to consider and find other resources.

“At the likes of The Open, and other big events, deployment of officers won’t be like it has been in the last 10 years”.

Around 290,000 people are expected at the event.

Mr Malcolm says traditionally officers would arrive at such an event up to an hour early, unpaid, to prepare for their duties and familiarise themselves.

But following the withdrawal of goodwill, the SPF is encouraging officers to report for duty at the time they are scheduled to start.

He added: “Events like this rely on goodwill from police officers to transport equipment and report for duty before their start time.

“The tens of thousands of hours given free by police officers are sacrifices they make and why they are looking for a fair pay settlement.”

Chief Superintendent Derek McEwan is leading up the Open police response.

In practical terms, Mr Malcolm says the force will have to make alternative arrangements to transport officers’ equipment and provide areas for them to change into PPE, which they would normally arrive with.

Action ‘most radical since 1970s’

The action by officers has been dubbed the most radical since the 1970s, and with 30 years policing experience Mr Malcolm says it’s something he has never witnessed previously.

He says he has never known officers to be so angry over the situation they are facing.

“If officers are taking this form of action, it should be a warning call to the public about what is going on.

“Why is the service being underfunded, and communities deprived of the service they want and respect?”

Officers are said to be feeling undervalued.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “We recognise the considerable goodwill officers bring to their roles on a daily basis as they keep people safe across the country, and this is also valued by the communities they serve.

“We therefore remain committed, through the Police Negotiating Board, to seeking a settlement.”

What are police asking for?

A recent pay offer of a £565 increase from the Scottish Government was recently rejected by the SPF.

Instead, Andy Malcolm says, officers are looking for a 3.4% increase similar to the pay boosts received this year by government ministers and other elected officials.

As well as helping officers during the cost of living crisis, he says it would also go a long way to restoring officers’ faith that they are valued.

He said: “This goes back to Covid-19, when there was no special recognition for officers exposing themselves and potentially their families, even in terms of vaccination with prioritisation for police officers.

“Officers continued to put themselves on the frontline, but that has been forgotten by government who are focussed on cuts rather than the unique jobs police officers do.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Police officer pay is negotiated through the Police Negotiating Board (PNB), as it has been for many years.

“The PNB process is ongoing in relation to pay for 2022/23, and we await the outcome of those discussions.”