'Dad's Army' of retired police officers could cover for swine flu victims

Published on Wednesday 19 August 2009 22:06

SCOTLAND'S police chiefs are considering drafting in a "Dad's Army" of retired and civilian officers to fill key roles in the event of a worsening swine flu epidemic.

A number of forces have discussed contingency plans, under which former officers would replace workers who fall ill as a result of a mass flu outbreak.

The Tayside and Dumfries and Galloway forces said yesterday the issue was "under consideration" as part of a wide range of emergency measures.

The Scotsman understands police will look through a database of retired officers to see who would be available, but sources said the scheme could pose major logistical problems.

It is feared many retired officers would lack the necessary training and would need to be "brought up to speed" with latest developments.

"You can't just bring officers straight out on to the streets," one source said.

"Unless they have just left in the last year … I wouldn't like to think they are on the front line."

Many retired officers are still relatively young and may have left to establish careers elsewhere, making it difficult to redeploy them quickly.

"A lot of retired officers have other jobs and the employer might not be able to let them go. It sounds easy on paper, but when you lift the lid, there are a few issues there," the source added.

Minutes of a meeting of Tayside Police's executive body show "the deployment of ex-police staff and non-civilian staff into key areas to backfill any major absences" has been discussed.

The plans, which were put before the chief constable, emerged after the latest national statistics showed more people in Tayside were going to their GPs with flu-like symptoms than anywhere else in Scotland.

News of the possible police measures comes days after it emerged that refugee doctors, medical students and retirees could be brought into Scottish hospitals to cope with the demands of a full-blown swine flu pandemic.

Derek Penman, Grampian's assistant chief constable, who speaks for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland on pandemic flu, said forces were sharing best practice across Britain to ensure they were fully prepared for any escalation of the threat.

"The Scottish police service, like many other public services and private sector organisations, has been planning for some time to deal with the threats from pandemic flu," he said.

"These threats are clear and include disruption to the continuity of our day-to-day business and to the resilience of our workforce, who may themselves be affected by flu or have family members who are ill and require care."

A spokesman for Tayside Police said the potential impact of the spread of the H1N1 virus was being constantly monitored.

He also confirmed the possibility of drafting in former officers had been "mooted" by its executive body, but emphasised that no member of staff would be asked to carry out work that was either "unsuitable or inappropriate".

FLY WAY TO AVOID VIRUS

SWINE flu has resulted in a dramatic rise in demand for private jets, as well-heeled travellers try to avoid the virus on commercial flights.

Jet Republic, the private jet company, had a 20 per cent increase in inquiries during the second quarter of this year, compared with the first three months.

The company believes a major factor behind this is a growing demand from wealthy individuals to travel by private jet and so avoid flying with the general public.

Jonathan Breeze, of Jet Republic, said: "Many people still wish to fly, but some are worried about travelling on commercial airlines for fear of catching swine flu."

NEW TAMIFLU ALERT

DOCTORS have been alerted over fears that Tamiflu could put some patients at increased risk of suffering a stroke.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is concerned the drug can interact with warfarin, which is taken to thin the blood. The combination can affect the rate at which the blood clots, putting some patients at risk of uncontrolled bleeding, which can lead to a stroke.

The MHRA said it was monitoring the situation closely.

It is the latest worry about Tamiflu, following warnings that it could do more harm than good for children who were otherwise healthy.