Finnie: Chief Constable may end in court
Scottish Greens Justice Spokesperson and former Scottish Police Federation official John Finnie MSP this afternoon (30 Apr) warned the Cabinet Secretary for Justice that the Chief Constable of Police Scotland could end up in court unless urgent action is taken to improve the state of its police stations.
Mr Finnie raised the matter in the Scottish Parliament in the wake of comments from the Scottish Police Federation that much of the police estate is, “unfit for human habitation”.
Commenting afterwards John Finnie MSP said:
“This intervention from the SPF is very welcome and shows the importance of independent inspections by staff associations. Lochboisdale Police Station was previously closed by the Northern Constabulary as a result of rat infestation, while a former Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police was summoned to appear at Airdrie Sheriff Court for repeated health and safety failures with buildings.
“Police officers deserve a decent working environment which complies with health and safety legislation. The Chief Constable must take urgent action to rectify the unacceptable condition of some of the police estate, or he may well find himself in from a court in the not too distant future.”