A senior police officer has claimed those on the frontline are being forced to buy crucial kit from charity shops because of a shrinking budget.
Calum Steele, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, also said some dog handlers were being pulled away from searches so they did not cost the force extra in overtime payments.
In a blog post, he attacked the “cash is king” mantra he says drives the force.
Mr Steele wrote: “Officers dealing with a child rightly ought to go some way to protect the child from needless intrusion by seeking the purchase of car sun blinds to help screen them from public view whilst making a necessary journey in a police car.
“Any one of us who has children know these can readily be bought for a couple of pounds but the officers were sent to scour charity shops to see if they could source them cheaper.
“Dogs handlers (those we have left) following trails are being told to stop as they approach the end of their shift (lest they incur overtime) and other dog handlers are simply despatched to pick up from where they left off.
“General and criminal inquiries are passed from officer to officer to officer, grossly diminishing the care for victims and increasing the likelihood of mistakes being made, evidence being lost and greater costs and abstractions should the issue subsequently progress to court.
“Rural communities are seeing their police services diminished and access is very much a post code and bank account lottery. Let us not kid on that decisions to send policing responses are firstly judged on need when a budget built on cuts needs to be balanced.
“Ranks are being stripped out and responsibilities are being pushed down without any evaluation of the impact of doing so on either the police service itself or the communities it is expected to serve.
“Cash is king and woe betide anyone who isn’t playing their part in making cuts.”
Police officers being sent to charity shops to source basic equipment for policing is shameful – is happening & desperate sign of lack of £
— Calum Steele (@CalumSteeleSPF) July 21, 2016
When officers say delivery of service is postcode lottery its way past time for service to stand up & admit lack of £ is killing it
— Calum Steele (@CalumSteeleSPF) July 21, 2016
The service doesn't have enough resources to investigate crimes by living suspects without diverting them to cases where suspects are dead
— Calum Steele (@CalumSteeleSPF) July 21, 2016
The Police Federation is the group which acts as a trade union for serving officers.
The Scottish Police Authority, the force’s watchdog, claimed it was unaware of any such activities taking place – but Police Scotland itself confirmed the sun visor purchase took place.
Dear public. What would you say if for example you learnt that dog & handler have to stop mid search (if near shift end) to avoid overtime?
— Calum Steele (@CalumSteeleSPF) July 21, 2016
Examples are endless. Equality of provision does not exist https://t.co/6j1NdBiqbk
— Calum Steele (@CalumSteeleSPF) July 21, 2016
Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick said: “Police Scotland acknowledges the current financial challenges and is working closely with the Scottish Police Authority and Scottish Government to develop sustainable solutions.
“Whatever these financial challenges, Police Scotland is committed to delivering effective and efficient local policing services at the heart of every community, supported by national specialist resources when required. This is a key benefit of having a national police force.
“Dog handlers do not automatically stop searching if they are going to occur overtime, they ask for authorisation to stay beyond their tour of duty if the search cannot be completed within rostered hours.
“Officers do not routinely or regularly purchase items from charity shops to support operational requirements. On this occasion an officer bought a sun shade – something we do not carry in stock – to protect the identity of a vulnerable witness, a highly commendable action by our officers.
“The Scottish Police Federation rightly recognise there are budget challenges however, public confidence in policing remains strong and we look forward to working with everyone who has an interest in improving the service we provide to our local communities.”
Liam McArthur, the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ justice spokesman said: “These are extraordinary claims.
“The idea of officers being sent to charity shops to source essential kit would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious. Police Officers work incredibly hard to keep us safe. They need to be given the equipment they need to do their jobs.
“We know that staff cuts have left officers and civilian staff overstretched. Poundshop policing will not deliver the service we need and the government needs to look urgently into these reports.”
Douglas Ross, Shadow Justice Secretary for the Conservatives, said: “These are deeply worrying claims by a senior police federation figure and the Scottish Government should now examine them very seriously. I am certain that this is something the parliament’s justice committee will want to examine.
“Our officers must feel valued for the work they do and have the freedom and equipment to ensure they can investigate crimes effectively. These comments suggest that is not the case and, if accurate, will be having a huge impact on officer morale.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Police Authority said: “It is a priority for the SPA and Police Scotland that officers are well-equipped for the important day to day job they undertake.
“The advent of the single service has allowed necessary equipment for police officers and staff, like uniforms, protective equipment and vehicles, to be procured centrally for the use of officers across the whole country and at best value for the taxpayer.
“The SPA works with Police Scotland to assess the future demands on policing to ensure that every opportunity is taken to support our workforce with the very best training and equipment, making the job easier and more efficient so that they continue to deliver a high-quality service to the public.
“While policing has had a strong financial settlement in the coming year, there remain ongoing financial challenges to address, as there are for every public service, and it is important that all officers and staff play a part in meeting those.
“But we do not recognise the picture that these assertions from the SPF seem to be trying to paint.”
An £85 million black hole has been identified in the single service’s budget.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government is committed to protecting the police revenue budget in real terms for the entirety of this Parliament, delivering an additional £100 million of investment over the next five years, in addition to £55 million of reform funding in 2016-17. Clearly, it is for SPA and Police Scotland to determine the best possible use of the budget according to national and local priorities.
“The Scottish Police Authority remains the only police authority in the UK unable to recover VAT which is liable to an annual cost of around £25 million. HM Treasury introduced a new section into the VAT Act to ensure central government-funded academy schools in England could recover VAT. We will continue to press the UKG to bring the VAT status of Scottish Police and Fire services into line with all other British and Northern Irish forces.”
Police Scotland has been asked for comment.
