POLICE SCOTLAND

HUNDREDS of probationary police officers have quit Police Scotland less than three years after signing up. Growing fears over plummeting morale in the crisis-hit force amidst several investigations into claims of bullying lays bare the huge task now facing police chiefs.

According to newly released figures, 269 have resigned since 2013, with more than 130 leaving within 12 months of joining the service. The statistics, released under freedom of information legislation, suggests soaring stress levels and a serious issue with morale.

This latest set of data comes just weeks after Chief Constable Phil Gormley, who faced several investigations into bullying claims which he denied, quit the force. Several senior officers are still suspended over allegations of bullying, intimidation and wrongdoing.

Figures obtained under FOI show that 139 probationers left in their first year, 89 resigned before completing two years and 41 quit within three years.

Officers complete their probation after two years, but this can be extended to three years if they take agreed time off – or fail to satisfactorily complete assessments.

Some politicians argue that officers and staff have paid the price for the SNP’s botched centralisation of the single force. They say this is one reason why we need an independent and expert review of policing.

While officials could not reveal why probationers had left, it is understood the reasons include performance, personal circumstances, failing to meet standards on fitness and health, or after deciding that policing was not the career for them.

There were claims in Scotland last year that a policewoman had quit the force after three years “in her dream job” because she was “physically and emotionally exhausted” and close to a “nervous breakdown”. It was said the young officer had to deal with “relentless ten-hour shifts and never-ending paperwork.”

Other officers who have been in touch with the Scottish Police Federation, the force’s governing body, have revealed there are serious safety concerns and stress levels are “through the roof”.

Police Scotland has recently introduced Your Wellbeing Matters, with more than 170 wellbeing champions now available in divisions across the country. This is being developed to provide a full range of support including specialist, confidential guidance, advice and other practical measures.

– Nearly 1,500 applicants fail fitness test

A TOTAL of 1,480 people who applied to become police officers in Scotland in the past three years have been rejected after failing initial fitness tests.

In the financial year 2016-17 alone, 4,489 took the Police Scotland fitness assessment and 686 were rejected.

The figures, part of the FOI request, show that in the period from 2014-15 to 2016-17, 14 per cent of would-be police officers failed to meet the standard.

A senior police officer from the force’s training department said: “The testing of fitness is carried out to ensure potential and probationary officers are fit to undertake the role of constable. Where applicants fail to achieve the required standard, they may re-apply following a period of time.”