POLICE Scotland chief constable Stephen House's proposal for a new training course for senior officers has met with strong objections.

Plans to set up a new Scottish course for aspiring police chiefs, which would replace the need to complete the current UK scheme, were greeted with opposition by a new body that includes staff associations and the country's police watchdog.

Officers across the UK wanting to become an assistant, deputy or chief constable have to go through the Senior Police National Assessment Centre, followed by completion of the Strategic Command Course at Bramshill, Hampshire. However, Police Scotland has proposed an alternative scheme, which would be equivalent to the latter, but officers completing it would only be eligible for posts in Scotland.

Deputy chief constable Rose Fitzpatrick presented the plan to a recent meeting of the Scottish Police Consultative Forum.

The body includes groups that represent officers and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA).

Her proposal made the case that a new system was required to reflect differences in Scottish criminal law and governance legislation.

However, according to one police source, "overwhelming opposition" to the proposal had been expressed at the meeting.

Critics believed a separate Scottish qualification may not be accepted in England and Wales and could restrict job opportunities.

The Scottish Government has confirmed a new working group is exploring options on the issue.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "The proposal put forward seeks to expand and complement the current arrangements not to restrict them in any way, therefore, no officers would be disadvantaged."