Merging Scotland’s police forces could cause a rise in crime and the loss of thousands of jobs, the country’s most senior officers have warned.
The Scottish Government wants to reform police and fire services and reduce the number of forces to save money.
But responses to the proposals published on Tuesday by a range of interested parties including councils and police bodies showed little support for a single force.
Both Tayside Police and Fife Constabulary said they were not convinced there was evidence the single force would be beneficial, and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) insisted that some of the plans could be damaging.
It said, “Any significant reduction in police funding will result in significant redundancies and a reduction in police officer numbers.
“It will affect frontline policing delivery.”
It added, “Removing over £150m from the police people budget will remove several thousand police officers and staff from employment.”
While accepting the “need for reform” ACPOS also highlighted potential problems during the transitional period if police forces were restructured.
It said, “Any change programme will increase the risk of a fall in performance over the short term. In policing terms, this may result in more crime and more victims.”
“Such an outcome is perhaps unavoidable when staffing levels reduce and services reconfigure, as new ways of working take time and effort to achieve.”
Other concerns highlighted in the responses included a loss of local knowledge and accountability, job cuts and potential bias towards the central belt in a single force set-up.
Three options were suggested the existing eight forces, a regional structure with fewer forces or one service.Status quoJustice secretary Kenny MacAskill has not given a preferred option, but did warn the status quo was “unsustainable” in the face of spending pressures and new challenges.
Labour and the Scottish Conservatives have declared their support for a single force.
Of the 219 responses, 22 supported moves to a single force while 59 preferred to retain eight forces and 45 backed a regional model.
A “substantial minority” of 77 said it was hard to take a decision because of a lack of detail.
A paper published alongside the responses said, “In terms of the options presented for structural reform, there was limited support for a move to a single police force.
“More respondents preferred the option to retain eight forces with increased collaboration or to move to a rationalised regional model.
“However, the lack of detailed evidence and information made it difficult for some respondents to make an informed decision.”
Mr MacAskill said the government would listen to concerns before bringing proposals to parliament in the autumn.
He said, “I am committed to delivering modern, effective and sustainable police and fire and rescue services in Scotland, keeping officers and firefighters in the community.
“The priority is delivering the community services that are making Scotland safer including the 1000 additional police officers who have helped reduce recorded crime to a 32-year low.
“But maintaining our excellent services in the face of Westminster budget cuts will not be possible without changing the way we do things, and the consultation responses show broad agreement on the need for reform.
“While the status quo is not a realistic option, the responses highlight areas of concern that must be addressed before we decide on the best way forward.”
Scottish Lib Dem justice spokeswoman Alison McInnes said, “Scottish Liberal Democrats are the only party standing up for local policing by opposing a single national police force.”
Responses to the consultation on the single fire service, which the government has backed, were also published on Tuesday.