No complaints from officers about breath tests, says Police Scotland chief

Scotland’s most senior police officer has said he has not received any complaints about roadside breath tests.

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents rank and file officers, has reported the force to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

It claimed officers could be exposed to coronavirus as a result of the tests, used on those suspected of drink-driving.

SPF general secretary Calum Steele said on Tuesday a complaint had been filed with the HSE.

Mr Steele, backed by the SPF scientific panel, said there are other tests, such as urine tests, that could be used instead.

Responding, Police Scotland chief constable Iain Livingstone told the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) board: “Any steps that might reduce the ability to catch offenders and protect the public by adopting other approaches to tackling what is an extremely dangerous crime would not be proportionate.

“My view is that our operational officers support that approach and no concerns around breath testing by road policing or response officers have been brought to my attention.”

He added: “Of course, I recognise there are alternative views and opinions and therefore, as always, the risk assessment and operational guidance will remain under review and we will, of course, listen and respond to any new evidence and guidance if it emerges, where the statutory agencies consider it necessary.”

Mr Livingstone said officers have been instructed to change the way they use roadside tests as a result of the virus, including ensuring it is done outside, while the officer is using a mask and standing down wind of the person taking the test, if possible.

He also said officers have been instructed to use full personal protective equipment (PPE) if they have any suspicions of coronavirus in a member of the public they are dealing with.

The chief constable said 12,000 officers and members of staff had been provided with PPE and trained to use the equipment, adding: “Police Scotland is meeting, and often exceeding, the relevant guidelines.”

Mr Livingstone stressed the importance of keeping officers and members of staff safe, saying: “I have a moral, ethical, professional and legal duty to ensure the safety and welfare of our officers and staff, and as a service we will do all we can to protect them as they, in turn, protect their fellow citizens.

“It is a duty I take personally extremely seriously.

“It goes to the heart of what I see as my function as constable and as chief constable.”

A SPF spokesman said: “The Chief Constable is of course entitled to his views. He is not however entitled to claim an apparent lack of concerns being raised with him by some as indicative of support for the force decision making.”

He added: “The SPF is the statutory body that represents police officers. Whilst other agencies exist in public life, they are not in any way responsible for determining the direction of any policing decision, regardless of what the Chief Constable is suggesting.”

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