Police Scotland can deal with Donald Trump visit, says chief

Police Scotland can deal with Donald Trump visit, says chief

Police Scotland has asserted that they have the necessary resources to handle an upcoming visit by Donald Trump, despite concerns raised by the Scottish Police Federation. The US president is set to visit his golf resort at Menie in Aberdeenshire later this month. Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs reassured the public that the visit would not impact Scotland’s communities adversely.

The Scottish Police Federation has expressed doubts about the sufficiency of resources, warning that Trump’s arrival could lead to delays in responding to certain calls. Former police chief estimates suggest that the taxpayer could bear a hefty cost of over £5 million for the security operation during the visit. DCC Speirs confirmed that planning for Trump’s arrival is in the early stages, with the possibility of seeking assistance from other UK forces under mutual aid agreements.

Speirs emphasized Police Scotland’s commitment to ensuring adequate resources for the visit and possibly collaborating with other forces for additional support. The force aims to work closely with the government to reassure the public that community service will not be compromised during this event. Additionally, efforts will be made to recover the costs associated with policing the visit. The Trump Organization owns golf courses in Aberdeenshire and South Ayrshire, with the president’s last visit in 2018 prompting major security operations and protests in various cities.

The Scottish Police Federation has expressed concerns about the timing of Trump’s visit, citing a high demand for annual leave among police officers during the same period. David Kennedy, general secretary of the federation, highlighted potential challenges with a massive deployment of officers affecting day-to-day crime response. He emphasized the importance of public safety while acknowledging the strain that extended shifts and resource mobilization can have on police forces and the budget. Parm Sandhu, a former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent, also underscored the significant costs involved in policing such visits, with estimates indicating a requirement of thousands of officers for overall security arrangements

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