Police Officer Quarterly Strength Statistics Scotland, published today, show police officer
numbers remain high and well above 2007 levels.
Commenting on the figures Justice Secretary Michael Matheson MSP said:
“Police Scotland continues to maintain a strong, effective presence in local communities
with officers, specialists and other civilian support staff working day and night to keep
people safe.
“With our police officers having worked hard to reduce recorded crime to its lowest level
since 1974 and clear-up rates at a 40-year high, public confidence in Scottish policing
remains strong.
“However, as criminal activity evolves, and the service increasingly responds to meet the
changing demands of society, it needs to maintain its capacity, across its workforce and
other resources, to meet emerging challenges.
“That is why we have protected Police Scotland’s resource budget for each year of this
Parliament, delivering a £100 million boost by 2021. In addition to £55 million for reforms
over the past year, we recently announced an enhanced allocation of £61 million reform
funding for 2017-18, to help with the next phase of its transformation.
“This will enable Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority to progress their ‘2026’
strategy, giving the Chief Constable greater flexibility to ensure Scotland continues to
benefit from a modern and responsive police service that is fit for the future.”
ENDS
