Police Scotland has announced a voluntary redundancy scheme as an attempt to save money, allowing staff to apply for voluntary redundancy or early retirement from 8 January until 9 February. The move comes after a warning from the force that 3,000 officer and staff jobs could be at risk without further investment from the Scottish government. The force has reported pressure from its budget settlement, with a spokesperson emphasising that police officer numbers may drop by almost 1,500 without an additional £128m in investment. Staff will be able to apply if they have at least two years’ continuous service; however, some exemptions have been made to ensure the continued operational effectiveness of the force.
Trade unions, including Unison, have criticised the move, claiming similar measures taken ten years ago forced police to fill the resulting gaps in officer numbers. The union described the scheme as “short-sighted,” warning that it will leave frontline policing roles unfilled. Despite these concerns, exemptions have been made, with certain staff, including those working in control rooms, call centres, and custody suites, described as “critical roles,” exempted from the scheme. In addition, staff in the Scottish Police Authority are also ineligible to apply.
Police Scotland has been particularly clear about the pressures it is currently experiencing due to recent budget settlements. The force’s spokesman emphasised this, saying their commitment to no compulsory redundancies remains in place. The force aims to reduce police staff numbers proportionate to the reduction in officer numbers and return overtime costs to normal levels. Formal statutory consultation with trade unions is currently underway, and staff have been briefed
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