Policing in Fife has been given a “massive slap in the face”, it has been claimed, after it emerged that the number of chief inspectors is to be cut from seven to three as part of a shock national restructure affecting 18 posts.
Fears have been expressed that local accountability under Police Scotland could also be eroded after it emerged Fife’s Police Transition Committee will no longer be permitted to have oversight of police complaints.
The revelations come amid growing concerns over potential moves to examine both the role of Scotland’s community traffic wardens and police station opening hours.
Fife Council Police Transition Committee chairman Councillor Gavin Yates told The Courier he was “shocked and disappointed” at the “completely ill-deserved” moves which he felt undermined the “excellent performance” of Police Scotland’s Fife Division.
It is understood that no chief inspectors will lose their rank and that they will be redeployed centrally possibly to Tulliallan.
However, Mr Yates said he was disappointed at the planned cuts in Fife, as Police Scotland Chief Constable Stephen House had assured him just four months ago that any “crunch point” might be over a year away as the force battles to make savings of £190 million.
The Courier made repeated attempts to get comment from Police Scotland on the chief inspector shakeup and to seek information on what divisions were affected.
However, despite being assured that someone from the Glasgow-based media team would get in touch, no one had responded by the time of going to press.
For our full report, see Thursday’s Courier or try our digital edition.