THE controversial merger of Police Scotland and the transport force could cost up to £500,000 per officer, new documents warn.
The integration of British Transport Police (BTP) into the national force was due to take place in April 2019, although the controversial move was delayed indefinitely in February.
A new paper produced by the British Transport Police Federation (BTPF) outlines what it sees as areas of “serious concern” to the BTPF and safety risks to the public over the move.
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The publication, sent to the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee, claims the merger plans have damaged morale and suggests that the transfer could cost up to £500,000 per officer to implement.
Conservatives have now called for the merger to be scrapped in the wake of “damning” new warnings from rank and file officers.
The submission highlights three main areas of concern – the “loss” of specialist railway policing skills and experience, terms and conditions (including pensions), and officer and staff wellbeing and cost.
It states: “The potential loss of experienced BTP Scotland officers and staff is a well-established risk.
“The continued levels of uncertainty officers and staff have experienced over the last two years is outrageous at best, and the lack of engagement has created serious mistrust. As a result, officers are considering leaving policing, transferring to forces in England and Wales, or retiring.”
On costs, the document states “it should be noted that factoring in pension liabilities, the cost of transferring every BTP Scotland officer to Police Scotland may well range between £225,000 and nearly £500,000 per officer”.
It continues: “As well as reacting to reported crime, BTP officers respond to incidents including suicides, derailments, trespassing and crowd control. They work closely with the Office of Rail Regulators and Rail Accident Investigation Bureau, especially with safety critical incidents.
“These effective relationships are based on years of experience and detailed knowledge of each organisation’s working practices. It will take time for Police Scotland to reach the same level of understanding. In the intervening period, this federation is concerned about risks to the safety of the travelling public.”
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The Scottish Conservatives have urged ministers to go back to the drawing board with the plans and ensure BTP is devolved “in a more practical and safer manner”.
Liam Kerr, the party’s justice spokesman, said: “This evidence is damning, and the SNP must start to listen.
“Its merger plan to merge British Transport Police with Police Scotland is going to cost public money, leave us with a worse service than we have now, and potentially threaten public safety. Why would any responsible government continue with it?”
He added: “(Transport Minister) Humza Yousaf has already had to press pause on the proposal. It is now time for them to scrap it altogether, and back a plan we can all support.”
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A Government spokesman said: “We are committed to the safe and seamless integration of BTP into Police Scotland, which Parliament voted for when it passed the Railway Policing Act.
“This will deliver continuity of service for rail users and staff and a single command structure, with seamless access to wider support facilities and specialist resources.
“We have confirmed our triple-lock guarantee will protect jobs, pay and pensions for BTP officers transferring to Police Scotland.
“We meet regularly with all partners in the integration and will continue to work closely with them on addressing issues that emerge.”
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