POLICE Scotland face a staffing crisis, with almost a third of all officers and backroom employees looking to leave the force in the next three years

The results of the first staff survey to be taken since Police Scotland came into being makes grim reading for the force’s top brass.

Only eight per cent of those taking part in the survey thought the force was genuinely interested in their wellbeing and only 15 per cent felt valued and recognised for the work they do.

Half of those who said they were going to leave in the next three years said changes to their pension scheme were the main reason for leaving. Changes have seen staff paying increased contributions with little difference to what they get at retirement.

There were also complaints around the work/life balance, health and safety and the lack of resources.

More than half of Police Scotland’s police officers, staff and special constables took part in the survey for the force and watchdog the Scottish Police Authority (SPA).

The response is unusually high – only 25 per cent of staff took part in similar exercise in England and Wales.

There were some positives for the force to take away: 78 per cent of respondents expressed trust and respect for their line managers and strong relationships with their colleagues; and 83 per cent said they were treated with respect by their colleagues at work

Brian Docherty, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation (effectively the trade union of rank and file officers) said the findings of the survey did not surprise him: “You cannot deliver a world-class police service purely on the goodwill of the men and women who work in it. Nearly 8,500 of our members (almost half of all police officers) completed this survey, and their voices need to be listened to.

“That a third of respondents stated they were looking to leave the service in the near future is a cause of considerable concern. That more than three-quarters of all police officers felt they had insufficient resources to do their job properly is frightening and that 92 per cent believed the service was not genuinely interested in their wellbeing is simply shocking.”

Docherty said the force’s problems stemmed from a lack of money: “Almost without exception, a lack of finance lies at the heart of myriad of issues this survey identifies.

“The service, Scottish Police Authority and Government cannot ignore the reality that a lack of funding is having a detrimental impact on the men and women in the service and that unless addressed immediately, it will ultimately see our communities suffer.”

Andrew Flanagan, the new chairman of the SPA, said the survey would influence the hunt for a replacement for outgoing Chief Constable Sir Stephen House.

Flanagan said: “The results speak for themselves and we will not seek to rationalise them away. There are a number of very positive findings within the survey that provide reassurance and which we must build upon. There are also issues of concern and areas for improvement.”

He continued: “One immediate step SPA will take is within the assessment and appointment process of the new chief constable. All those shortlisted can expect to be challenged by me on how they would personally address the central issues within today’s report.”

Deputy Chief Constable Neil Richardson welcomed the survey report: “Policing in Scotland has been through major change and has delivered many benefits to the communities we serve,” he said.

“But our officers and staff are clearly telling us there is more we must do in terms of engaging them in the journey ahead. There are also issues which require action in order to continue to look after the people who serve those communities and to improve the service we provide”

The Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Conservatives demanded the Scottish Government get involved.

Margaret Mitchell from the Conservatives said: “The justice minister now has to address these findings head on, and not simply hold another showcase seminar pretending to deal with it. If he does not, many of the 33 per cent who want to leave will come good on that intention.”

Scottish LibDem Alison McInnes said: “Staff deserve praise for the commitment they have shown to delivering a service to communities, but the toll that has taken is demonstrated by the numbers planning to leave.

“The SNP Government urgently needs to recalibrate the reform programme if the threatened exodus is to be avoided.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said Police Scotland is putting in place measures to address the outcomes of this survey and we expect it to take prompt and robust action.

He added: “The Scottish Police Authority has the responsibility for oversight of policing in Scotland, and it has given a commitment to provide ongoing scrutiny on these fundamental issues. The chairman of the SPA has also made clear he expects the new chief constable to address the results of this survey, and this will be a key test in the ... appointment process.”

The National View, October 3: Police survey’s grim statistics require urgent action