Police: Scotland's police forces believe they may be facing funding cuts of up to 10%. Pic: © STV
Two more Scots police forces have announced plans to freeze recruitment in the face of expected public spending cuts.
On Wednesday, both the Lothian and Borders and Dumfries and Galloway forces revealed they were to follow the lead of Strathclyde Police in halting the employment of new staff. And a number of Scotland’s other forces have now said they cannot rule out taking the same action, while others are continuing existing recruitment cutbacks.
A Dumfries and Galloway spokesman said today: "Until full details of the forthcoming spending cuts are known later in the year, we have taken the decision not to recruit any further new officers at this time."
Police staff posts are also being scrutinised when they become vacant with the spokesman adding: "Recruitment is constantly under review in the force to ensure we get the best value out of our allocated budget.
"We are being realistic about the number of staff we can afford in the challenging times ahead and are working hard to ensure we are providing the most efficient service we can."
Lothian and Borders Police confirmed they had imposed a freeze on employing new police staff in April.
A spokeswoman said: "Every force is currently reviewing budgets and as the scale of the looming cuts remain uncertain, the focus is very much on maintaining and preserving service delivery for communities.
"Protecting frontline services, and our recent increase in officer numbers, are naturally a big part of that, but the harsh reality is that our organisation must get smaller.
"As part of the preparation for these cuts, Lothian and Borders Police have stopped recruiting.
"We are not accepting any new applications and will be contacting all those currently going through our selection process to advise on their individual application status.
"Recruitment for police staff stopped in April this year, with only specialised posts being advertised."
On Tuesday, Strathclyde Police chief constable Stephen House revealed the force was to suspend recruitment after the current intake, but on Wednesday, he confirmed the force would go one stage further with he and his deputy foregoing their annual bonuses.
He said: "This is a difficult time for the public sector and many people within the police service will be reading the papers and watching the news and becoming more and more fearful for their jobs.
"I don't think it is right that either myself or the Deputy Chief Constable receive a bonus payment during this period of uncertainty."
Mr House was in line to receive a bonus of up to 15%, or £25,000, while his deputy Neil Richardson stood to receive 12.5%, or around £16,000.
In Detail
A number of other Scots forces had already begun to cut recruitment prior to the latest fears of major funding cuts.
Northern Constabulary stopped officer recruitment at the end of last year and will continue the policy throughout 2010.
However, the force accepted job applications during a six-week period in spring to replace officers who were retiring in order to maintain numbers.
A force spokeswoman said: "I'd be reluctant to call it a freeze but it's highly unlikely there will be further recruitment this year."
Central Scotland Police have not imposed a recruitment freeze but are reviewing their position and a force spokesman said the “situation will be assessed in due course".
Fife Constabulary is currently reviewing its position. A spokeswoman said: "At this time Fife Constabulary has not put a freeze on recruitment, either for officers or police staff.
"Like other public sector organisations we await confirmation of the impending budget cuts and depending on the severity of these cuts we may need to revisit this position".
Grampian Police is also reviewing its position. A spokesman said: "We are committed to our autumn intake of new officers.
"We are, in common with the rest of the public sector, reviewing our position and we will be submitting proposals for discussion to the Grampian Joint Police Board in due course."
Tayside Police has not imposed a recruitment freeze but is reviewing police staff jobs that become available on a case-by-case basis.
A force spokeswoman said it was "more of a chill than a freeze". She said they remain committed to their current intake of probationers who are undergoing training.
