Concerns over cut in the number of police officers in Inverclyde
SERIOUS concerns have been raised after new figures revealed a significant reduction in the number of police officers in Inverclyde. The statistics released by Police Scotland show that the Renfrewshire and Inverclyde division has lost no fewer than 27 full-time officers since 2013. The headcount has gone from 678 officers in December 2013 to 651 in June this year. Chief Superintendent Alan Murray, Divisional Commander, has moved to reassure members of the public that he has ‘sufficient’ resources to deliver a ‘first class’ service.
Police Scotland Widens Rollout of Digital Policing Application
Police Scotland has expanded its rollout of Pronto, Motorola Solutions’ digital policing application suite, to include officers in Glasgow. Police officers will be able to use Pronto to directly fill in reports on their mobile devices for incidents such as crimes, road collisions and traffic tickets. This will replace traditional paper notebooks. Using Pronto, officers can also directly access local and national police databases such as the Police Command and Control system, the Scottish Criminal History System and the Police National Computer, ensuring they always have access to the most up to date information.
http://www.landmobile.co.uk/news/police-scotland-widens-rollout-of-motorola-solutions-pronto-1/
Shock as taser deployment more than doubles in north-east and Highland
There has been an “alarming” 21 deployments between January 2018 and September of this year in the regions. The potentially lethal weapons are designed to temporarily incapacitate a person through use of an electrical current. Data released to the Press and Journal by Police Scotland show that in the Highlands, the devices were used just three times by armed firearms officers (AFO) in 2015 and 2016. But in 2018 and until September 2019, they were used 10 times.
Public inquiry to be held into Sheku Bayoh death
A public inquiry into the death in police custody of Sheku Bayoh must be as thorough as investigations into the Hillsborough tragedy and the Stephen Lawrence killing, his family’s solicitor has demanded. Aamer Anwar welcomed news that a wide-ranging investigation will take place into how Mr Bayoh, 32, died after being restrained by officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in 2015. The inquiry will examine whether race was a factor in police investigations. His family have repeatedly called for a public inquiry.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/public-inquiry-to-be-held-into-sheku-bayoh-death-9s78kwmb6