This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6586233.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Politicians questioned by police Party police plans branded a joke
(1 day later)
Police officers are to have the opportunity to question representatives from the main political parties at the Police Federation annual conference. Promises by politicians to recruit up to 1,500 extra police have been criticised by rank and file officers.
The SNP's Alex Salmond, Labour's Cathy Jamieson, Annabel Goldie of the Conservatives and Lib Dem Jeremy Purvis, will outline their policies. Delegates at the Scottish Police Federation conference claimed that double the number was required.
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson is likely to come under the most scrutiny. Leading figures from each of the four main political parties were questioned by officers at the annual event, in Peebles in the South of Scotland.
However, the Federation said it would look for evidence from all parties that their policies can improve things. Strathclyde Police delegate, Les Gray, branded party pledges for more officers as "a joke".
Chairman Norrie Flowers is expected to attack Labour's commitment to double the number of community wardens, claiming the scheme's £33m cost should have been spent on extra police. Scottish Labour's Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson was joined by SNP leader Alex Salmond, Scots Tory leader Annabel Goldie and Jeremy Purvis of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
The Tories have made a commitment to recruit 1,500 new officers while the Nationalists and Lib Dems say they would take on 1,000.
But Mr Gray said: "I have to be honest, 1,000 police officers is a joke - 1,500 police officers is a joke."
Very short term prison sentences don't work Jeremy PurvisScottish Liberal Democrats
Pointing out that Strathclyde Chief Constable Sir Willie Rae was among those in the audience, he continued: "If he goes away from here today thinking he's going to get a pro rata share of 1,000 officers, he's not going to go out and buy a case of champagne to celebrate."
Mr Gray, who called for a 20% increase in numbers, was given overwhelming support from delegates when he suggested the federation would be looking for at least 3,000 police officers across Scotland.
Mr Salmond told delegates that justice was one of his party's key priorities, adding that £78m had been set aside to help meet the target of recruiting 1,000 officers.
'Role to play'
He said community wardens were not a substitute for police officers, adding: "It's top of the public's concerns and should be top of the budget priorities."
Ms Jamieson said education was Labour's key priority going into the Scottish Parliament election.
But she insisted that policing was "right up there" adding that 1,500 extra officers had been recruited over the past 10 years.
She also told delegates that community wardens also had "a role to play", adding: "It's important to recognise that communities like them because they do a different job."
Miss Goldie said the Tories were committed to recruiting new officers
Ms Goldie said that the Tories were committed to recruiting 1,500 extra officers.
"Three quarters of crimes are not reported at all so we don't know the real figure," she said.
Ms Goldie said crime in New York had plummeted after police were increased by 50%, adding: "I want the same to happen in Scotland, so that people will think twice before breaking the law."
Mr Purvis said that the Lib Dems wanted 1,000 community officers recruited while continuing the network of community wardens.
Longer seven-year combined community and custodial sentences, he said, would be introduced to deal with knife crime.
Mr Purvis added that more use should be made of community sentences, adding: "Very short term prison sentences don't work."