New recruits at Police Scotland’s training college have been given a safety warning after traces of Legionnaires’ disease were discovered in a shower block.
The bacteria was found within five shower heads in the Dunvegan accommodation complex during routine testing at Tulliallan in Kincardine, Fife, on Wednesday, November 16.
It is understood that female rookie officers, who stay in the affected dormitory, have been told to shower in a different facility on the campus but can continue living in the rooms.
A source claims that around 86 shower heads have been removed while the system is flushed and retested for further traces of the bug.
Legionnaires’ disease is a lung infection that you can get from inhaling tiny droplets of water which contain the bacteria.
It is usually caught in places like hospitals, hotels or office blocks from air conditioning systems, hot tubs or taps and showers which are not used often.
A source told the Daily Record: “Legionella testing was being carried out as normal when the results came back positive for some of the shower heads in the Dunvegan accommodation block. It’s all female probationers that are affected.
“All 86 shower heads have been removed and the system flushed and retested. The probationers have been notified but their rooms are still safe for them to stay in.
“They just can’t use the showers but they’ve got access to other facilities in the recreation block.”
It is understood that no-one has become unwell as a result of the discovery at the college, which is a key training site for the force.
Police Scotland chief inspector Rachael Burns said: “On Wednesday 16 November 2022, routine testing detected traces of Legionnaires’ disease in five shower heads at the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan.
“The shower heads are being replaced and contingency plans are in place.”
Last week 300 probationary constables were sworn into Police Scotland during a ceremony at the college where they were welcomed by Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone.
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