Draft plans for greater use of the Gaelic language within the police service have been launched.
The plans are part of the Scottish Government's commitment to raise the status and profile of Gaelic, and create practical opportunities for learning and use of the language.
The draft plans from Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) were unveiled at the Royal National Mod in Oban, with the support of Bord Na Gaidhlig, with officers wearing uniforms bearing English and Gaelic forms of Police Scotland and a vehicle with the Gaelic version of the Police Scotland logo.
Gaelic language plans are a statutory requirement for all public bodies in Scotland. The plans detail how the police service and the police authority will contribute to creating a sustainable future for Gaelic in Scotland.
Police Scotland and the SPA are now inviting members of the public and members of staff to read the plans and provide feedback on them. The separate plans are available electronically, from the Police Scotland and SPA websites, and upon request, in hard copy.
Chief Superintendent Julian Innes, local policing commander for Highland and Islands division, and project lead, said: "As a public body, Police Scotland has a legal obligation to develop a Gaelic language plan and we will do that in consultation with the communities we serve and the organisations who work with us.
"The consultation is open and accessible to anyone and I'd encourage those who would like a chance to contribute to do so by making contact with their views."
Alasdair Allan, minister for learning, science and Scotland's languages, said: "As minister with responsibility for Gaelic, I am delighted to support the launch of this consultation. The Scottish Government is firmly committed to supporting all our indigenous languages, including Gaelic.
"It is welcome to see Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority demonstrating such firm commitment to supporting Gaelic and I encourage anyone with an interest to have their say on these important publications."
Bord na Gaidhlig interim CEO Joe Moore said: "Gaelic language plans have proven to be successful in supporting Gaelic by main-streaming the language into the everyday operations of public bodies while offering those with Gaelic the opportunities to use the language.
"We are pleased to see Police Scotland and the SPA launch their draft plans for public consultation and look forward to working with them throughout this process."
Potential aspects of the Gaelic language plans include dual branding of the Police Scotland/Poileas Alba logo to feature on police uniforms, signage and police vehicles, the introduction of training opportunities for police officers and staff to learn Gaelic and dedicated Gaelic pages on Police Scotland and the SPA's website.
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