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Strathclyde, Tayside and Northern 'routinely armed police' | Strathclyde, Tayside and Northern 'routinely armed police' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Three Scottish police forces allowed specialist officers to routinely carry guns before the launch of the new single force, Kenny MacAskill has said. | Three Scottish police forces allowed specialist officers to routinely carry guns before the launch of the new single force, Kenny MacAskill has said. |
The justice secretary told MSPs that Strathclyde, Tayside and Northern had officers who were routinely armed. | The justice secretary told MSPs that Strathclyde, Tayside and Northern had officers who were routinely armed. |
He said Police Scotland had adopted the approach across the country since its launch in April last year. | He said Police Scotland had adopted the approach across the country since its launch in April last year. |
Lib Dem justice spokeswoman Alison MacInnes said Holyrood should have been told of the routine arming of police. | Lib Dem justice spokeswoman Alison MacInnes said Holyrood should have been told of the routine arming of police. |
A political row over specially trained officers routinely carrying side arms started earlier this month when Independent Highlands and Islands MSP, John Finnie, raised concerns. | A political row over specially trained officers routinely carrying side arms started earlier this month when Independent Highlands and Islands MSP, John Finnie, raised concerns. |
Mr Finnie said there had been a change of policy from firearms officers having to retrieve their weapons from locked safes in armed response vehicles with permission from a senior officer. | Mr Finnie said there had been a change of policy from firearms officers having to retrieve their weapons from locked safes in armed response vehicles with permission from a senior officer. |
He said there had been occasions when firearms officers had supported unarmed police on routine duties, such as dispersing late night crowds from outside pubs and clubs. | He said there had been occasions when firearms officers had supported unarmed police on routine duties, such as dispersing late night crowds from outside pubs and clubs. |
'Unexpected threats' | 'Unexpected threats' |
Mr MacAskill told the Scottish Parliament that Police Scotland took a decision to follow an example previously set by Strathclyde, Tayside and Northern Constabulary. | Mr MacAskill told the Scottish Parliament that Police Scotland took a decision to follow an example previously set by Strathclyde, Tayside and Northern Constabulary. |
He said it was necessary for trained firearms officers to be readily available to respond quickly to "urgent and unexpected threats". | He said it was necessary for trained firearms officers to be readily available to respond quickly to "urgent and unexpected threats". |
Mr MacAskill said Police Scotland has 275 firearms officers - 1.6% of Police Scotland's personnel - and they were deployed on a shift pattern basis. | Mr MacAskill said Police Scotland has 275 firearms officers - 1.6% of Police Scotland's personnel - and they were deployed on a shift pattern basis. |
He added: "Consequently, only a small number will actually be deployed across our communities at any one time." | He added: "Consequently, only a small number will actually be deployed across our communities at any one time." |
The justice secretary also said that the police authority and police investigation and review commissioner could review the deployment of firearms officers. | The justice secretary also said that the police authority and police investigation and review commissioner could review the deployment of firearms officers. |
Ms MacInnes said the routine arming of officers represented a "substantial change of direction" and parliament should have been informed. | Ms MacInnes said the routine arming of officers represented a "substantial change of direction" and parliament should have been informed. |
Police Scotland's Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins told BBC Scotland: "They are police officers first and foremost and it's only right that they contribute to the policing plan in addressing the greatest concerns of the community. | |
"The fact that they are carrying firearms and a Taser, to this point, there has been no negative public reaction to it." |
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