Scotland’s frontline police officers are buying their own uniforms as the standard issue kit is ‘ill-fitting’ and of ‘poor quality’, a new report has found.
A review by HM inspectors has found that trousers lack stretch and fade quickly, ‘inadequate’ jackets leave officers exposed to rain, fleeces are ‘too thin’ and tear, and torches do not have enough battery life or brightness.
Rank-and-file officers also reported that armoured vests are ‘too bulky’ and ‘ride up’ while travelling, while footwear looked ‘unprofessional’.
This has, according to the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland, led to the practice of officers buying their own kit becoming ‘normalised’.
Police Scotland has now been urged to improve the standard of kit provided after inspectors found that ‘frontline officers and staff did not have access to uniforms that meet the same standards of quality as those provided to specialist or senior roles’.
HM Assistant Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, Brian McInulty, said frontline officers who operate in ‘remarkably challenging environments’ were ‘the face of Police Scotland’ and ensuring they have access to ‘high-quality, comfortable and effective’ uniforms and equipment’ was of ‘critical importance’.
But he stressed: ‘Many officers and staff are purchasing their own items of uniform. This leads to a lack of uniformity across the service, and it is, quite frankly, unacceptable that officers and staff find themselves in this position.’
The report found there ‘was a notion that all decisions on uniform and equipment provided to frontline officers were predicated on cost, ahead of quality.’
Police officers in Scotland have complained of ‘ill-fitting’ and of ‘poor quality’ standard issue uniform
Police officers have resorted to spending their own cash on uniforms in favour of the standard issue kit
Critics blamed a lack of ‘sufficient’ funds from the SNP Government to enable the force to cope with current levels of demand.
Scottish Police Federation chairman David Threadgold said: ‘Fundamentally cops are buying equipment because the stuff provided by the service is not good enough, doesn’t fit or doesn’t do the task it needs to do.
‘This is not what should be happening in a service that has a £1.5billion budget. But it simply doesn’t have enough money to buy the best kit for officers.
‘The government will say they have given record budgets and the chief constable can choose what she spends it on. But it cannot maintain the level of demand that exists on police officers – and at the very least they should be provided with the best equipment to enable them to go out and do the job for our communities.
‘I don’t know a single cop who wants to spend their own money to carry out their job safely, but that’s the reality of the situation.’
Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice Liam Kerr said Nationalist ministers should be ‘ashamed’.
‘It’s disgraceful that savage SNP cuts mean police officers have been forced to buy their own kit.
‘This shows how hollowed out frontline policing has become under the SNP government when they cannot even provide them with the basics.’
The inspectors heard examples of crime scene managers wearing jackets that are widely regarded as a superior, long-lasting garment, while frontline officers, on a cordon for an entire shift, had to make do with an inferior-quality jacket.
The report states: ‘The general feeling is that the current system is unfair, and frontline officers should be equally, if not better, provisioned for the roles they perform.’
Female officers also reported having to order men’s trousers due to a ‘lack of stretch and poor fit’ offered in women’s sizes.
Among its list of recommendations, HM inspectors advised the force to seek ‘alternative standard issue trousers that are made of higher quality, stretchable materials that accommodate diverse body types, including a proper fit for females’.
It also suggested they provide uniform designed for officers with specific requirements or medical conditions including ‘pregnancy and menopausal symptoms’.
The force was also asked to consider whether the ‘considerable cost’ associated with having the wording ‘Police Scotland’ and ‘Poileas Alba’ embroidered on its tops represents value for money.
Liberal Democrat Justice spokesman Liam McArthur said: ‘A professional looking police service is not just a matter of national pride…..Police officers need a uniform that is smart, comfortable and safe.’
Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan said the Chief Constable has ‘set out a vision for the future of policing in Scotland which prioritises support for our frontline’.
He added: ‘We’ll take account of this report and listen to officers and staff to ensure they get the uniform and kit they need to deliver for communities.’
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: ‘While provision of uniform and equipment is a matter for the Chief Constable, I am clear that police officers and staff should be provided with the correct tools for the job, and I welcome Police Scotland’s commitment to this.’