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/glasgow_and_west/7244485.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Chiefs cut for frontline officers | Chiefs cut for frontline officers |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Senior police posts could be shed by Scotland's largest police force to free money for frontline officers. | Senior police posts could be shed by Scotland's largest police force to free money for frontline officers. |
New Strathclyde Police Chief Constable Steve House said his main priority was to free up all resources to increase the number of beat officers. | New Strathclyde Police Chief Constable Steve House said his main priority was to free up all resources to increase the number of beat officers. |
"This is what the public quite rightly demand," he said. Superintendent posts are expected to be among the first cut. | "This is what the public quite rightly demand," he said. Superintendent posts are expected to be among the first cut. |
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill told BBC Radio Scotland communities would be very grateful to the chief constable. | Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill told BBC Radio Scotland communities would be very grateful to the chief constable. |
He said: "What we want to make sure is that we have a visible police presence in our communities - whether they are superintendents or constables is a matter for him [Mr House] to decide." | |
The number of superintendent posts is to be cut from about 80 to 55. | |
The £2m salary saving would be invested in new recruits. | |
Mr House said: "I am sure that this, along with other initiatives, will allow the people of Strathclyde to see more foot patrol officers on their streets tackling levels of violence and anti-social behaviour in the community." | |
Joe Grant, the general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said he had campaigned for years to get more officers on the beat. | |
"Each chief constable has to decide the balance of back-room and front-room police," he said. | |
"Essentially this move will spread the pain more evenly across all ranks in the force." |
Previous version
1
Next version