Nevertheless, Scotland’s chief constables could hardly fail to look for a motive when told to carry on spending by a government which has delivered a consistent, repeated and increasingly urgent warning to all public bodies to make efficiency savings and trim their spending plans in preparation for looming budget cuts.
As a vital frontline service, Scotland’s eight police forces have been protected by both central and local government from the most severe reductions, despite the local authorities’ contribution no longer being ring-fenced as a result of the concordat with the Scottish Government. However, the inevitability of further cuts following the £6bn reduction in spending to be announced by the Westminster government next week and the comprehensive spending review in the autumn has caused chief constables to question whether they can sustain current numbers. Because police officers cannot be made redundant,
that can only be achieved by freezing recruitment and, therefore, has to be decided well in advance.
The SNP was elected on a manifesto pledge of providing 1,000 additional police officers and, as a minority government, was held to that by the Conservatives in the Scottish Parliament. Inevitably, the advice from senior civil servants, that the money made available for frontline policing can only be used for that purpose and would be withheld if the recruitment process was stopped, has led to allegations from one chief constable of civil servants “calling the shots” for political ends.
Subjecting the legitimate and pressing concerns of chief constables to political expediency is a serious charge and the Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, was forced to make a statement to the parliament after The Herald revealed the unhappiness of some chief constables. His reiteration that the funding for the extra officers could not be used for any other purpose confirmed by default that it would be lost if not used to recruit new staff.
Despite MacAskill’s commitment to constructive and straightforward dialogue with the police, it is clear the communication is not a two-way process. In the midst of a financial crisis, the taxpayer expects all officials to plan for spending cuts. Ministers who expect public bodies to cut cherished projects from their budgets must be prepared to lead by example. Ensuring best value for money must come before political pride.
