Police Scotland's Frontline Crisis Deepens as Officer Sickness Soars
A stark watchdog report has exposed a growing crisis within Police Scotland, revealing that one in seven officers are currently on light duties due to illness or injury. This significant drain on frontline manpower comes as public confidence in local policing has suffered a sharp decline across Scotland.
Alarming Rise in Restricted Duties
The joint investigation by the Auditor General for Scotland and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland found that approximately 14 per cent of the force – equating to more than 2,300 officers – are now assigned to desk-based or similar roles instead of operational street duties. This troubling figure represents a dramatic 60 per cent increase since the 2022/23 period, highlighting a rapidly escalating problem.
The report states unequivocally that this growing number of officers on 'modified' duties "creates a resourcing pressure and is not sustainable" for the long-term health of the service. It criticises Police Scotland for failing to make sufficient progress in managing this issue, which was first flagged as a serious concern back in 2021.
Impact on Service Delivery and Wellbeing
Many of these officers are being placed in positions that do not require warranted powers or specialist police skills, which the watchdog warns is directly affecting frontline service delivery. Furthermore, this situation could potentially harm staff wellbeing, creating a vicious cycle of reduced operational capacity and increased stress on the remaining frontline officers.
Mental health issues remain the most common cause of long-term absence for both officers and staff. The financial impact is substantial, with absence costing Police Scotland £80 million in 2024/25 alone, with levels remaining higher than pre-pandemic benchmarks.
Plummeting Public Confidence
Alongside the internal staffing crisis, the report reveals worrying trends in public perception. While overall trust in the police force remains relatively high, confidence in local policing has fallen sharply. Only 45 per cent of Scots now believe their local force is performing well, indicating a significant disconnect between national reputation and community-level experience.
Political and Operational Responses
Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr placed blame squarely on Scottish Government funding, stating: "This report highlights the outstanding job Scotland’s police force are doing despite a backdrop of years of brutal SNP cuts to budgets. Current officer numbers are clearly not going to be sustainable if the police are going to be able to protect public safety and punish criminals in the years ahead."
He added that "SNP cuts mean Police Scotland are often doing their jobs with one hand tied behind their back and many officers have been pushed beyond breaking point and are unable to work."
Auditor General Stephen Boyle emphasised that policing needs to "put clear measures of success" in place to demonstrate whether improvement goals are being achieved. Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs responded that the force had "fully assisted the audit" and would "continue to work to address areas for improvement."
In contrast, Justice Secretary Angela Constance struck a more positive note, describing the report as "a positive reflection of policing in Scotland" that highlighted strengths including "effective leadership and governance" and Police Scotland's collaborative work with partners.
The report paints a picture of a police service grappling with significant internal challenges while trying to maintain public trust. The combination of rising officer absences, financial pressures from sickness costs, and declining local confidence creates a perfect storm that demands urgent attention from both police leadership and Scottish Government ministers.
