Every community in Scotland will have identifiable local officers, the chief constable has promised.
Jo Farrell made the pledge as Police Scotland unveiled plans to develop the force to “meet existing and new challenges”.
The chief constable outlined her vision for 2030 setting ambitions for safer communities, less crime, supported victims, and a “thriving workforce”.
Figures from August revealed the number of full-time equivalent police was at the lowest level since 2007.
There were 16,207 officers employed by Police Scotland on June 30, a decrease of 148 FTE officers since March 31.
The Scottish Police Federation, the representative body for bobbies on the beat, warned the force cannot recruit enough officers to replace those who are leaving.
Police Scotland previously set out plans to recruit more than 1,300 new officers in 2024-25 – the highest number Police Scotland has recruited in a single year.
“The reform of policing in Scotland removed £200m from the annual cost base compared to legacy arrangements while improving service to the public,” the chief constable said.
“To strengthen the frontline, reconnect with communities, and respond to emerging threats when the outlook for public finances is challenging, we must progress the next phase of police reform.
“Our vision and values set the guiding principles and ambitions for policing and our business plan details the steps we are taking to deliver for our communities and our workforce, relentlessly prioritising frontline services.”
CC Farrell also set out other key milestones including forming a new cyber and fraud division to tackle the growing demand of online crime.
Other plans include:
- A refreshed commitment to what contact the public can expect from officers after reporting a crime
- Strengthened vetting and misconduct regulations to safeguard standards and integrity
- A greater role for police staff in jobs that don’t need policing powers
- Improving efficiency in back offices through greater use of AI and technology to automate paperwork
CC Farrell added: “This is a positive and ambitious vision and plan for policing and, while we outline milestones taking us to 2027, our approach will remain flexible and subject to funding.
“I’ve asked deputy chief constable Jane Connors to take strategic oversight of this vital work and she had established Operation Evolve to drive the changes necessary to deliver safer communities, less crime, supported victims, and a thriving workforce.
“We will continue to share further information on individual workstreams as progress is made.”
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