Police Scotland has lost over one million days due to staff absences in the last four years, according to figures obtained under freedom of information legislation. The data reveals that since 2020, a total of 1,020,930 working days have been lost to staff absences, with each year between April 2020 and April 2024 showing a loss of at least 200,000 days. Specifically, 239,507 of the lost days were attributed to “psychological disorders.”
Between April 2022 and June 2024, over 7,000 officers were deemed “not deployable,” with 2,771 officers in the last year and an additional 1,305 officers deployable but with restrictions during the same period. The Scottish Conservatives received and released these figures and described them as “staggering.” Liam Kerr, Tory justice spokesman, criticised the Scottish Government for being “completely disconnected,” attributing the high number of absences to the impact of budget cuts on policing resources.
Kerr highlighted that nearly a quarter of the absences were due to psychological issues, with officer numbers currently at their lowest since the SNP assumed power in 2007. He emphasised a cycle of overwhelmed officers taking sick leave, thereby increasing stress on their colleagues and further contributing to illness within the force. The Scottish Tories have proposed an increase of 1,000 police officers to address these challenges.
Despite the challenges highlighted in the figures, Police Scotland has recently welcomed 250 new recruits, aiming to address the decline in total police numbers which dropped to the lowest level since before the SNP government came to power. Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs emphasised the force’s commitment to officer well-being, with investments in enhanced welfare provisions including mental health support services.
The Scottish Government responded by pointing out that the figures span a period of more than four years, incorporating the Covid-19 pandemic and covering a workforce of over 16,000 officers. They underscored their support for police welfare initiatives, noting an increase in police funding to £1.55 billion this year, the highest level since 2013, to enable Police Scotland to recruit more officers.
Scottish Police Federation chairman David Threadgold echoed the importance of prioritising police officers’ well-being, particularly in the face of unprecedented pressures and the absence of a suitable pay deal. He emphasised the significant toll on officers’ mental and physical health due to the current challenges faced by the force. Threadgold urged collaborative efforts among the Scottish Government, Scottish Police Authority, and Police Scotland to ensure officers receive the necessary support, resources, and respect they deserve.
In conclusion, the figures revealing over a million days of policing lost to staff absences over the past four years shed light on the significant challenges faced by Police Scotland. The call for increased support for police officers’ well-being, including mental health provisions and adequate resources, underscores the critical importance of addressing the systemic issues impacting the force’s effectiveness and morale.