From the archive: Scottish police 13 july, 1950

Published on 13/07/2012 01:03

Recruiting for the police in Scotland is improving, and forces are almost up to strength, said Mr Sydney Kinnear, HM Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland.

The 1949 annual report said there were “serious deficiencies” in the strength of the forces. Male regular police numbered 6,869 in the cities, burghs and counties. The authorised strength, however, was 7,343. The women’s force numbered 134; the authorised strength was 162. This year there was a considerable increase in recruits. On the mechanised team policing introduced in Aberdeen in 1948 and in Perth and Greenock in 1949, Mr Kinnear stated: “There is no doubt that the team system of policing coupled with mechanisation not only improves the working conditions but enables manpower to be deployed to the best possible advantage. Chief Constables anxious to improve the lot of ‘the man on the beat’ are handicapped by the serious shortage of strength.”