MacAskill picks police’s third choice for location of HQ

Published on Sunday 29 January 2012 00:00

THE new headquarters of Scotland’s national force will be at Tulliallan Castle after justice secretary Kenny MacAskill ruled out police officers’ preferred venues in Edinburgh or Glasgow.

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) rated potential bases on proximity to partners, accessibility, suitability, size, flexibility, condition, staff relocation travel, safety and security.

They suggested Pitt Street, in Glasgow, was Scotland’s best option, followed by Fettes, in Edinburgh, with Tulliallan, in Kincardine, coming third.

However, MacAskill, who faced repeated criticisms of centralisation when announcing the move to a single force, has made it clear the new headquarters should not be in either of Scotland’s two biggest cities.

The justice secretary has insisted he would not interfere in operational matters, but Acpos admitted “political desire” was “a reason for the decision, but not the reason”.

A police source said: “Acpos carried out a scoring based on what they would need and what is available at each site, and it seems that Pitt Street and Fettes came out on top on that scoring.

“It seems the key issue is the politics of it all, with ministers indicating they did not want a headquarters in Edinburgh or Glasgow.”

The decision has angered Edinburgh councillor Iain Whyte, who is convener of the Lothian and Borders police board: “I would have hoped the new headquarters would have been in Edinburgh. It is, after all, the capital. It would be close to the Scottish Parliament, close to the Scottish Government. While I understand the need for police jobs to be spread around Scotland, through disperse arrangements currently being discussed, we should not be ruling anything out because of politics.”

The command team based at the national headquarters is expected to be small, with departments such as IT, HR and payroll placed in different parts of the country, with the aim of spreading jobs evenly.

If Tulliallan is accepted as the new headquarters at next week’s Scottish Policing Board meeting, it will only be an interim decision, as the new chief constable may decide on an alternative base while in post.

Acpos insisted its arm was not twisted by MacAskill, and that Pitt Street or Fettes would have been chosen, regardless of his wishes, if they had been the best option.

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8

famous15

Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 11:57 PM

Number 1 Kon...I always thought a criminal was a person convicted for breaking the law. So someone from Scotland arrested by a racist Met cop for singing cheerfully is not a criminal. He was released without charge obviously.

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Vote 'NO'

Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 08:35 PM

NO to a single police force.

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William Forbes

Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 07:58 PM

SNP telling the police what to do? ================================================= Well, they have been telling the courts what to do; so a natural progression? ============================== He who pays the piper!

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samcoldstream

Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 11:40 AM

This shoots down the weak argument about a new Police Commissioner being just along the corridor from the Justice Secretary. However, when a Scots Unionist Government is re-elected, as it surely will, watch the new government immediately move the HQ to Edinburgh, just around the corner from St Andrews House.

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Colin RB

Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 03:19 AM

Tulliallan the centre of excellence in racism,incompetence and cover ups and conveniently located next to a golf course

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3

Angus McLellan

Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 01:34 AM

Obviously the best choice of the threeas this is the Scottish police, not the Edinburgh or Glasgow police. And think of the money that will be saved by senior staff eating in the canteen instead of popping out for oysters or lobster on their expenses!

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2

footdee

Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 01:01 AM

If we are to have a single force this is the best place for HQ

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1

Kon

Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 12:20 AM

well there you have it, MacAskill the criminal who gets himself arrested for being drunk at football matches knows better then the professional police.

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