The Scottish Police Federation represents all police officers in the ranks of constable, sergeant, inspector and chief inspector, police cadets and special constables; over 18,500 people, 98% of all police officers in Scotland.
Well done Scottish Police Community Choir on their latest production.
2017 has been another very challenging year for policing in Scotland.
However, throughout it all, the men and women of the Police Service of Scotland have continued to go out and work hard to deliver the best service possible for the communities that they serve.
And they will continue to do so over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Many of our colleagues will not be with their own families over the festive period as they will be working to ensure our communities are safe and the festivities are enjoyed by other.
Policing in general in the UK has had a difficult year, including some terrible tragedies within the policing family.
Sadly we have also lost colleagues this year, and their families and friends are in our thoughts as they come to terms with their first Christmas without them.
We wish all of our officers, police staff and their families, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The SPF in held the first Menopause Awareness Workshop at the Scottish Police College on Wednesday.
The session delivered by Laughology and funded by the SPF, increased awareness of symptoms, considerations and potential support that could be included in the Service.
The menopause is not just a women’s issue, it is everyone’s, a fact reflected by the balanced number of male and female attendees. In a service keen to promote wellbeing, this was a vital first step in recognising some of the issues faced by those experiencing the menopause and its effects and thinking about how we improve things.
Studies in other forces have shown that 80% of women police officers reported experiencing symptoms that affected their performance at work. Hopefully the session and culture promoted the issues being faced by officers and identified potential solutions that will promote wellbeing in the workplace.
Ideas that came from the workshop included; “Menopause related” as a recorded absence category, flexible work patterns, free supply of sanitary products, uniform adjustments, amended re-certification policies eg in Specialist Support, rest rooms, support forums and much more. SPF Equality leads will now take these issues forward with the Force with a view to improving understanding and support.
Speaking in response to the publication of the SPA accounts and in particular the details concerning high value appointments and consultants, a spokesman for the Scottish Police Federation said;
“By any measure the spending of over £300,000 on two temporary staff for a matter of months work can only be described as profligacy of the highest order.
It is beyond belief that at a time the police service is under the greatest financial stress in living memory that public funds have been used like Monopoly money by people getting paid a fortune, paying a fortune to consultants so that they in turn can make fortunes.
It seems the only people to suffer in these times of austerity are hard working police officers and the wider public.”
Speaking in response to the announcements by the Scottish Police Authority and the Police Service of Scotland that a number of officers (including 2 members of the federated ranks) had been suspended from duty on 24 November 2017 a spokesperson for the Scottish Police Federation said;
“It is Important to remember that this involves a handful of officers in an service of over 17,000.
Whilst it is always difficult to talk about specifics due to an ongoing investigation the information we have suggests the suspension of our members and others is unwarranted.
Our members rightly ask what is it that allows some to be granted leave while under investigation but for that same opportunity not to be extended to them.”
A full release can be downloaded here.
With the annual Scottish Police Federation Bravery Awards taking this week, we showcase a collection of posts highlighting our Courageous Colleagues from across the country winning an award at the event on 30 November.
Ordinary people doing an extraordinary job. #ItsWhatWeDo
For a full list of our featured #CourageousCops click here
SPF National and Area officials met with Area, Divisional Planners and Resource Managers in a Event Planning workshop at Tuliallan on Friday24th November. The meeting arose from concerns taken by SPF to the Force Executive over a number of matters such as excessive Rest days being interrupted, self travel to events and welfare and wellbeing.
There was a very useful exchange of views but already significant progress has already been made in many of the areas we were discussing. We were reassured by the positive and considered approach that the planning teams had and look forward to working with them, commanders and resource units to jointly ensure that events conform with regulations and meet officer’s welfare and health and safety needs.
Scotland’s football sectarianism act scrapped from midnight THE repeal of a controversial law designed to stamp out sectarian abuse at football matches has received Royal Assent and will official be scrapped from midnight. It marks the first time an entire Act has been scrapped – with no legislation to replace it – since the Scottish Parliament was reconvened…
In April 2018, we were contacted by the HMRC Sector Compliance Manager for the Police sector updating us on how members should contact HMRC and explaining that HMRC had made improvements to simplify the process of claiming expenses, including professional subscriptions, through the digital channel. Members can read about claiming tax relief, check for job…
