Despite losing 25 staff from Dundee command since the creation of Police Scotland, the man in charge of Tayside insists frontline policing remains a priority.
Divisional Commander Hamish Macpherson said while Police Scotland was going through a period of “unprecedented change,” the priority was to keep officers visible within the communities they serve.
Mr Macpherson’s reassurances came amid fears that civilian staff cuts could lead to a reduction in frontline policing.
New figures reveal 11 police officers have left the Dundee area command since the creation of the new single police force in April.
The figures obtained under freedom of information legislation revealed the officers left the force “for reasons other than on the grounds of retirement at 25 years”.
An additional seven civilian support staff were granted early retirement over the same period while a further seven left through voluntary redundancy.
Dundee East End councillor Lesley Brennan expressed her concern that the reduction in staff would take officers out of the community.
She said: “Local policing will suffer from reductions in the number of police officers and police support staff.
“The departure of police officers means that their years of experience is lost to the service.
“It means also that the work of professional support staff will be carried out by police officers who should be working in their communities instead.
“Police Scotland are being ordered by the Scottish Government to make cuts of over £60 million this year.
“As a result the number of police support staff is being cut severely and more and more of their work will be taken over by officers acting as ‘backroom bobbies.’”
However, Mr Macpherson said Police Scotland remained committed to frontline policing.
He said: “There is no intention to routinely use police officers to permanently backfill police staff posts.
“But where public performance must be maintained, we will use police officers to fulfil those duties normally undertaken by police staff as demand dictates.
“The way in which this is managed ensures there is no impact on frontline policing.
“Indeed, it is always our priority and preference that police officers are deployed in frontline roles visible within the communities they serve and keeping people safe.”
He also defended the level of police officers in the force.
He said: “The number of police officers working in Tayside Division and indeed across Scotland has not changed but our support staff numbers have reduced in Tayside.
“This has been through voluntary redundancy and early retirement, as well as the departure and retirement of staff experienced by any large organisation.”
Mr Macpherson said having the single Police Scotland force now meant national resources are at the disposal of local policing and vice-versa, which he said allowed “greater flexibility.” But he conceded budget restrictions had brought challenges.
“Policing in Scotland is going through a period of unprecedented change necessitated by significant budget restrictions and this period of transformation does not come without its challenges,” he said.