A former guard at Tulliallan police college claims it is only a matter of time before there is a major security breach at the site earmarked to be the interim headquarters for the single Scottish force.
Don Campbell claims procedural changes imposed by bosses have left the building open to terrorist attacks.
The 58-year-old former security officer, who left his job last month after almost a decade at the college, claims bully-boy tactics by management means staff are scared to speak out.
He said: ”Because I was security, I know quite a bit more than I perhaps should. They moved the guys from the gatehouse to a cupboard behind the reception area. They’re monitoring (the gatehouse) on CCTV now and they’ve been told to let everyone in. You could have the biggest bomb in the world in the back of the car and get through.
”Nothing has been logged or reported in the security books for years, either. It just stopped. It’s ridiculous. There’s going to be a high-profile breach of security in the next wee while. It’s a prime target.”
Mr Campbell says he was slapped down by managers at Tulliallan when he raised his fears about a possible security breach. He backed up allegations made by Unison Fife branch officer Alex Duncan, who last week exclusively revealed to The Courier his concerns about ”systematic bullying and intimidation” at the college.
Mr Campbell said: ”I’ve crossed swords with management because I was quite vocal about my concerns. There are people in there that are a liability. It’s mismanagement, mostly. The managers are bluffing their way through and if you get into an argument with them about it they tell you that you should know your place.
”Obviously, the police are trained not to be aggressive but they are very threatening. They appear in twos and start questioning whether you’re up to the job. They make it very personal, purely because you’re pointing out the security hotspots. I’ve seen guys with tears in their eyes.”
The former security officer, who lives in Lochgelly with his wife, was forced to seek professional help to deal with stress, which he blames on mistreatment by bosses at the police college.
He said: ”If people had known that I would end up going to the doctor for beta blockers and having to speak to professionals about stress-related things, they wouldn’t have believed it. Alex (Duncan, Unison) was dead right about the culture of bullying and intimidation.”
Scottish Police College director John Geates insisted changes to the security setup were implemented ”to deliver a more effective service”.
He said: ”We continue to have barrier-controlled entry to the college and everyone entering and leaving the college is monitored. A new and enhanced CCTV network has also been installed. This has not lowered our security readiness, indeed it has strengthened our perimeter security.
”I am confident that the level of security we have in place is more than adequate for the risk assessments currently in place.”
The college director was keen to point out that a full security assessment is being carried out ahead of the arrival of the new chief constable of the Scottish Police Service on April 1 2013.
He added: ”Once that is finalised the security arrangements, if required, will be adapted to ensure that the appropriate level of security is in place.”
Mr Geates also rejected claims of ”bullying and intimidation” at Tulliallan. He said: ”We have received no evidence of bullying to support any of the claims made.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ”While this is a matter for the SPSA, we welcome the work they are taking to ensure appropriate security at the Scottish Police College now and in the future.”Lib Dem leader calls for meetingThe leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats has urged the director of the Scottish Police College to convene a summit to deal with claims about the mistreatment of civilian staff.
Willie Rennie warned the issue must be resolved before Tulliallan becomes the headquarters for a single Scottish police service on April 1 next year.
Politicians have previously called for an investigation into Unison’s claims of ”systematic bullying and intimidation” at the police college.
Speaking exclusively to The Courier, Mr Rennie, who is also MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: ”These claims are worrying, and add to a long list of concerns we already have about the new single police force.
”I would urge Scottish Police College director John Geates to proactively seek to resolve the issues and convene a summit between Tulliallan senior management, Unison representatives and both police and civilian staff.
”This situation mustn’t be allowed to escalate further it is absolutely essential that a genuine resolve is reached. Otherwise, there is a risk that the new single police HQ at Tulliallan will be dogged by unwelcome controversy.”
Mr Geates said: ”We have a meeting with Mr (Alex) Duncan (of Unison Fife) on 20 July 2012, where we expect any evidence of these serious allegations to be presented so we can begin the formal investigative processes SPSA has agreed with unions.
”If Unison cannot supply evidence, we have made it clear that we will expect a full public apology and for the allegations to be withdrawn.”
Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Archive