Police entitled to double time on public holidays are to be given the day off and officers from other divisions drafted in to cover their shifts to save cash.
Fife is one of the first areas in Scotland to implement the change, which could see officers shuttled around the country.
Public holidays are determined by local authorities, meaning police in one area are entitled to double time while officers in another part of Scotland are paid the base rate on the same day.
The Courier has learned that Police Scotland, which has to make savings of £190m in three years, has issued an internal email to officers in Fife explaining the change.
Scottish Police Federation general secretary Calum Steel said: “My understanding is that this is intended to happen in Fife and has already happened in one of the divisions in the west in the last two weeks.
“If the service is going to engage in the practice of moving resources to another area for large periods of time to deal with routine policing, we would hope that proper consideration is given to the needs of communities and indeed the health and safety of officers.”
Politicians fear the new policy could impact on local policing if officers are parachuted in to patrol an unfamiliar area.
Graeme Pearson MSP, a former chief constable who is now Scottish Labour’s justice spokesman, said: “This runs counter to assurances repeatedly given by the justice secretary about maintaining local policing.
“This appears to be an attempt by Police Scotland and the Scottish Government to deliver a cut in the pay and conditions enjoyed by Scottish police officers.”
Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie also condemned the plan.
He said: “Morale in the police force is already at a low level and this surprise change will not improve the mood of officers. “
The Courier understands that police sent to cover Fife public holidays are likely to be paired with a local officer.
Fife police committee chairman Gavin Yates said: “I was immediately rather shocked when I was told of these plans and disturbed by the prospect that police from outwith Fife without the key local knowledge might be left to cover.
“However, I am pleased that, after discussing the matter with Chief Inspector McEwan, that he has reassured me that no officer based outwith Fife will be working without a local partner with that dedicated knowledge.
“I am not entirely happy about these arrangements but it is clear to me that the leadership of Fife’s division is doing its best to mitigate these very difficult cuts.”
The plans to curb the number of double time shifts offered to police on public holidays were slammed by officers.
One police constable, who asked not to be named, said: “A lot of people count on public holidays for extra money. If they have no family, they maybe don’t mind working them.
“It’s going to upset a lot of people and it will affect local policing because the officers coming in from other areas won’t know the area.”
A colleague, who also asked not to be identified, added: “With double time offered on public holidays, effectively they’re paying for two officers when there’s only one there so obviously it will be a significant saving if an officer comes in who is on standard pay on that day.
“But this won’t be popular with police officers who want to work public holidays for double time. With the public sector pay freeze everyone is struggling and every penny counts.”
Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Mike McCormick defended the move, describing it as an “opportunity” for officers to enjoy public holidays.
He said: “Police Scotland has a responsibility to provide the highest level of policing to its communities, while at the same time demonstrating a responsible, efficient and effective deployment of the resources at our disposal.
“The creation of a single police service in Scotland has promoted cross-divisional co-operation and allows officers and departments to support colleagues outside their regular policing areas during major events or public holidays without additional costs being incurred.
“As an employer, Police Scotland is also committed to safeguarding the welfare of its officers and staff. Utilising our resources from across the country to support operational requirements ensures locally-based personnel are not required to work longer hours and allows them the opportunity to be released from duty on local public holidays wherever possible.”