MSP opposes National Policing Board

5.14.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 12th Aug 2009

Jim Hume MSP, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland has condemned Scottish Government proposals to convene a national policing board.

The proposal was announced recently by the Justice Secretary as part of the Government’s response to the independent review of policing in Scotland.

Jim Hume said:

“Liberal Democrats believe that a one-size-fits-all approach to policing is entirely wrong.

“These proposals will be viewed with huge concern across Scotland, where the value of local policing has long proved its worth to local communities. Solutions that are suitable for Glasgow or Edinburgh are not necessarily right for the Borders.

“Centralisation of policing in Scotland is a thoroughly bad idea. Traditionally the police have been operationally independent of government and locally accountable. People will be worried by this proposal to put the Borders’ police force under the overall direction of a central belt dominated national policing board.

“The national body proposed by the Government is to be chaired by the Government. While we await full details of how is it intended to operate, it is clear that the Government have in mind that there should be a single national view on policing and that the local police boards will either become redundant or be abolished.”