Police Scotland reported to health and safety executive after concerns over breath tests

Police Scotland reported to health and safety executive over breath testsPolice Scotland reported to health and safety executive over breath tests
Police Scotland reported to health and safety executive over breath tests | JPIMedia
Alternatives to breath tests have been suggested after fears for police safety

Police Scotland has been reported to the health and safety watchdog over the use of breath tests on suspected drink-drivers, due to fears that officers may be exposed to coronavirus.

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) said there were safer alternatives which should be used in the fight against drink-driving.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In a letter to members, general secretary Calum Steele said the SPF had taken the "extraordinary step" of reporting the force to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Scotland radio programme, he said senior officers had failed to engage with their concerns for two weeks.

He said: "The simple reality is that we're asking police officers to perform a procedure when much safer alternatives are available that have in no way, shape or form a hindering ability on the police service to tackle the scourge of drink-driving."

In discussions with the SPF after 14 days the force said their position on the use of breath tests was "defensible", Mr Steele told the programme.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said that in obvious cases of "blind drunken driving" other powers could be used which did not require a breath test.

Asked if people were still drink-driving during the lockdown, he said: "Astonishingly, yes.

"I suspect the reason has probably got a lot to do with the fact that people are probably consuming more alcohol at home.

"The numbers of breath tests being carried out on a monthly basis are genuinely astonishing and equally astonishing are the number of individuals that are failing them."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The SPF's panel of scientific and medical experts supported its stance. The organisation says testing urine samples would be a safer alternative to identify drink-drivers.

Police officers who carry out roadside breath tests have been told to wear masks and gloves, with the option of tougher PPE if coronavirus is suspected.

In response to the SPF's claims, deputy chief constable Fiona Taylor said: "We follow the advice and direction of Health Protection Scotland (HPS), the Health and Safety Executive and the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and apply a comprehensive operational policing risk assessment when developing guidance for officers and staff.

"Police Scotland is meeting, and often exceeding, the relevant guidelines.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We have sought to assist HPS, the HSE and the NPCC to clarify guidance with a focus on policing scenarios and we have passed information provided by the Scottish Police Federation to those organisations to support that work."

She continued: "We recognise our moral, ethical and legal duty to the safety and welfare of our officers and staff and will continue to work with staff associations and unions as policing continues to play its vital role in the national effort to combat coronavirus."

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Comments

 0 comments

Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.