Fears over pace of police reforms

Chief Reporter

Monday 13 February 2012

THE outgoing head of the union representing Scotland's 17,000 frontline police officers has warned of the "danger" of the slow pace of plans to appoint the chief constable of Scotland's new single force.

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Lucy Adams Chief Reporter EXCLUSIVE

Les Gray, who retired yesterday as chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, criticised the proposed timetable to appoint the new chief in January 2013 – just two months before the single force begins on April 1.

"The biggest concern is the delay in appointing a new chief," he told The Herald. "There is a perception the reforms don't seem to be getting anywhere fast. We at least need to have a structure and we certainly need a chief constable in place long before the proposed deadline."It's no secret we have criticised the apparent lack of communication. Officers at all levels just want to know what is happening, whether they will have to move all over the country and what the structures will be."Mr Gray also called for a solution to be found to the VAT issue which would see the single service liable for £22 million a year to the Treasury, because of changes in the way the new organisation will be funded.He said: "If we don't sort out the VAT issue aspect we face losing the equivalent of 500 officers and that's just ludicrous. The public will neither expect nor accept their money is going into VAT rather than policing. This needs to be sorted. They need to come up with a structure which is not liable to VAT."However, the issue has not yet been resolved – despite the fact the Bill on police reform goes before the Justice Committee this week. "If people wake up on day one of the new police service and the public nor officers see any difference, then that, to me, will be success," said Mr Gray. "There is a danger that is not going to happen and that is why I personally believe it is absolutely vital to make an exception and do whatever needs to be done to appoint the new chief constable by the autumn."A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "We agree it's important for the new chief constable to be in post as soon as possible, but equally we must ensure appointments are made through fair and open competition involving the Scottish Police Authority."

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Fears over pace of police reforms

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