CONTROVERSIAL plans to merge British Transport Police with Police Scotland have taken a significant step forward, with publication of the underlying legislation.
The Scottish Government yesterday laid The Railway Police (Scotland) Bill at Holyrood and published the results of a consultation into the plan, which is strongly opposed by BTP officers.
The consultation found a quarter of respondents were against the idea, with many considering it "politically driven" and lacking a convincing business-case.
The merger will affect BTP’s Glasgow-based ‘D Division’, which polices 2800-km of track and 358 stations north of the border, and currently has around 300 full-time officers and civilian staff.
The SNP government insisted employees' jobs, pay and pensions would be protected under a “triple lock guarantee” during the merger.
The new Bill gives power over railway policing to Police Scotland and its watchdog body the Scottish Police Authority, and requires both the SPA and the Chief Constable to have regular contact with train operators on rail policing, including cross-border services.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: "We have been assured by Police Scotland that the specialist knowledge, skills and experience of BTP officers and staff will be protected and maintained within Scotland's wider policing service. Cross-border policing will continue to be seamless in both directions.”
However the BTP Federation, representing officers, said it was concerned that “so many [consultation] respondents - including us - consider a strong case for integration has not been made. Despite these results, the Scottish Government is continuing regardless with one option of integrating BTP into Police Scotland."
The Federation also questioned how much the integration would cost.
"Given how much work there is to be done in respect of officers' terms and conditions, and pension arrangements, it's clear the true cost of the amalgamation won't be known for some time. This is concerning in light of the widely-reported financial issues facing Police Scotland.”
But Calum Steele, General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said his organisation would work with the BTP Federation to ensure a “seamless transition” of personnel to Police Service and address any concerns.
Bernard Higgins, Assistant Chief Constable of Police Scotland, added: "We are committed to working with Scottish Government, BTP, staff associations, both police authorities and other stakeholders to ensure integration is seamless. The priority for Police Scotland is to ensure all of our communities, including people who work and use the rail network, are kept safe."
Tory justice spokesman Douglas Ross said: "The SNP's plans for the BTP don't have the support of those operating in the force just now and need to be reconsidered. These plans to change BTP will leave people thinking that the SNP is determined to cut ties with anything that happens to include the name Britain."
Labour justice spokeswoman Claire Baker said: "Officers, staff and unions all have serious concerns about the Government's plans, these must be taken seriously. The SNP should respect the independence of the British Transport Police and stop their attempts to railroad this Bill through Parliament.
"Police Scotland already faces a £27 million black hole at the heart of their revenue budget.
"We should not be putting the transport police and local policing under further risk by continued police centralisation."
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