A Fife politician has lambasted proposals for a single Scottish police force, insisting it would have a disastrous impact on communities throughout the region.
North East Fife MSP Iain Smith has claimed the SNP plans represent a “huge threat” to the future of front line policing in the region.
He has vowed to fight the move and insists there is no strong case in favour of the controversial change.
“It is disappointing, but nonetheless unsurprising, that the SNP presented their plans for a single police force without giving even the slightest indication of what benefits or savings would be achieved as a result,” Mr Smith told The Courier.
“There has been no clear explanation given as to why moving toward a single Scottish police force would improve policing or make the nation’s streets any safer.”
Mr Smith fears local issues could be effectively brushed under the carpet by “centralised bureaucrats” if a Scotland-wide force is established.
“Personally, I am not persuaded that by creating a single police force any significant savings or most importantly improvements in service will be made,” he continued.
“Instead, communities will suffer as local accountability disappears and local police services are damaged. Centralised bureaucrats will be given far too much say over how local policing decisions are made, without being aware of local problems and issues.”
Mr Smith paid tribute to the area’s current force, but fears its “excellent” work may not be enough to stop the proposed changes.
“Fife Constabulary is an excellent police force and has been making significant improvements throughout Fife in reducing crime and increasing detection rates,” the MSP continued.
“I am concerned at the prospect of this progress being undone as orders and priorities are dictated by a headquarters in Glasgow.
“The idea of a single Scottish police service is bad news for Fife. It is bad for democracy, bad for communities and bad for local policing.”
Last week justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said the case for the change is “compelling” and that a “strong case” had been made for a single police force to serve Scotland.
Mr MacAskill also warned that the status quo was “unsustainable” in the face of spending pressures and new challenges for the service.