Complaints against officers

[Fedster + 1,307]

Staff association says there are 'less risky, less complex and less costly' ways of devolving accountability.

 

Date - 21st August 2018
By - Ian Weinfass - Police Oracle

4 Comments

 

Opposition figures have called on the Scottish Government to revise its plans on merging British Transport Police into Police Scotland north of the border.

Reports over the weekend, first appearing in The Scotsman, suggest ministers are re-thinking their plans to fully integrate the railways force into the national one.

Scottish Labour, the Conservatives and BTP Federation have all since called for a re-think on the issue.

The staff association wants the force to be retained in its current form but to be subject to increased accountability by the Scottish Government.

Daniel Johnson, Labour’s justice spokesman, said: “Labour has consistently opposed this merger as it is unwanted, unnecessary and uncosted.

“I hope reports are correct that [justice secretary] Humza Yousaf is finally listening to Labour, police officers and railway workers and looking for an alternative.

“There is already one on the table brought forward by the British Transport Police Federation.”

The Scottish Conservatives said on Facebook: “The SNP now needs to make clear exactly what it intends to do.

“The merger plans are deeply unpopular, and opposed by officers, unions, train operators and passenger groups.”

The BTP Federation said on the same site: “It would be absolutely the right decision to look at alternative options. There are other ways to achieve the principles of devolution which are less risky, less complex and less costly.

“We would wholeheartedly welcome and support a re-think on this.”

Timescales around the merger were extended due to complications in integrating IT systems and conditions of personnel.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “We have confirmed that our triple lock guarantee will protect jobs, pay and pensions for BTP officers transferring to Police Scotland.

"There is a replanning exercise currently taking place. Once that is completed, we will ensure parliament is updated on our next steps.

“We will never compromise the safety of the public."

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[Straker + 5]

As I'm sure has been mentioned previously practically the only reason the SNP want to merge is because they have the name British Transport Police. If they were called the Railway Police I doubt the SNP would be anything like as interested. 

The train operating companies (especially the ones who travel cross border), Network Rail, the rail unions and even some of the senior members of Police Scotland have come out against this (Police Scotland not so obviously in public).

Also massive questions about terms and conditions, particularly for police staff some of whom are still in the railway pension scheme, which is much better than the Police Scotland civilian staff one. Which the SNP have notably not guaranteed as part of there publicity around the so called triple lock.

[ParochialYokal 1,119]

There is no reason why the BTP couldn’t exist as one organisation but have ring fenced arms that have different accountability mechanisms.

You have examples of how one manage team effectively spans what is two organisations in both local authorities and the NHS.

A creative solution can be found.

[Radman + 2,163]

On 21/08/2018 at 19:38, ParochialYokal said:

There is no reason why the BTP couldn’t exist as one organisation but have ring fenced arms that have different accountability mechanisms.

You have examples of how one manage team effectively spans what is two organisations in both local authorities and the NHS.

A creative solution can be found.

BTP made a number of proposals to the SNP including full local Scottish Government oversight for D-Division and a 're-brand' of the forces Scottish Division to "Scottish Transport Police" to appease the raving nationalists up that way but the SNP STILL pushed ahead with this merger plan - Personally I am glad this has backfired on them massively, it was nothing more than a political stunt with no practical benefit to anyone at all.

Edited September 5, 2018 by Radman