Police Scotland Reports Over One Million Lost Days

Police Scotland has reported a staggering loss of over one million working days due to staff absences in the past four years, with 239,507 of those days attributed to psychological disorders. This data, released under freedom of information laws, reveals that nearly 17% of officers were considered 'not deployable' at times, coinciding with the lowest number of officers since the SNP came to power in 2007. Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr criticized the Scottish Government for being 'disconnected' from the realities facing police officers, citing ongoing budget cuts as a key issue. He highlighted a vicious cycle whereby overwhelmed officers are more likely to fall ill, further stressing the remaining workforce. In response, Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs emphasized the prioritization of officer health and a £17 million investment in welfare programs. Critics argue the situation is unsustainable and detrimental to both officer well-being and public safety.