MORE than 100 police officers are expected to gather in Glasgow city centre on Thursday in a protest over pay.
Officers will protest outside the Merchants’ House of Glasgow, just off George Square on 7 West George Street, from 9am until 12pm on Thursday.
It comes as pay talks between the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) and Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority, and the Scottish Government have reached a “crisis point”. The SPF accused upper management of “snubbing” Scotland’s police officers.
Earlier this year, the SPF submitted a pay claim for a 5.5% increase for the year 2024/25.
While the same amount was awarded to NHS workers, the Police Negotiating Board for Scotland – which includes the Scottish Government – rejected this, instead proposing 4.75%.
SPF general secretary David Kennedy (below) said police officers had been “left with no choice” but to take to the streets.
“Unlike doctors, council workers, and train drivers we can’t strike or take industrial action and that is one of the most effective ways to make politicians in government listen.
“For many officers it is increasingly difficult to make ends meet, given the rate of inflation and high energy prices. We are asking for a fair pay award in recognition of our contribution to society.”
The SPF said the demands of the job have increased “significantly” in recent years, alongside a rise in violent attacks on police officers.
The union further said that police officers’ pay has fallen behind other public sector bodies since 2006, when the previous pay mechanism was withdrawn.
Kennedy said that low pay and the increasing demands of the job have resulted in officers quitting the service in droves.
'We're losing dozens of officers every month'
It comes as a staff survey released by Police Scotland on Tuesday found that 70% of police workers would not recommend working for Police Scotland.
Issues faced by staff include reduced staffing levels, crumbling infrastructure, and lack of equipment, which the SPF said contributed to low morale.
Police officers are often called to deal with issues that arise from overstretched public services, such as mental health services.
On November 1, police officers in Scotland withdrew their goodwill, meaning that they will not work outside of their allotted hours, will not start shifts early, and will not take personal protective equipment (PPE) or police equipment home with them.
Kennedy added: “We are losing dozens of officers every month due to the demands of the job and the fact that they can earn significantly better pay elsewhere.
“Soon there will simply not be enough serving officers to keep the public safe.”
The Scottish Government's Justice Secretary, Angela Constance (below), said: “Police officers and staff do a challenging job in sometimes very difficult circumstances and I am grateful for all they do to keep communities safe.
“We have made what we believe to be a very fair offer of 4.75% to police officers, which is above inflation and higher than any pay increase agreed within the Scottish Public Sector, excluding the NHS. This is the maximum affordable offer in the face of public finances that remain under severe pressure.
“The process for agreeing officer pay is ongoing.
“Police officers in Scotland have consistently been the best paid in the UK, at the minimum and maximum of each rank.”
Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.
