Police chief's dire warning on cuts

A SCOTTISH police chief has warned that his force's "operational effectiveness" may be hit by swingeing budget cuts.

Grampian Police is facing a shortfall of almost 6 million in the next financial year.

And Colin McKerracher, the force's chief constable, has warned that almost 90 police officers and 160 support staff are expected to leave their posts before March next year.

The force, he says, is already carrying out a "critical review" of every area and some specialist units may have to be disbanded to protect frontline services.

In a report to Grampian Pol-ice Board, Mr McKerracher states: "Given the reductions in the force budget for 2011-12 with the majority of the savings coming from the downsizing and reconfiguration of staff numbers, there is undoubtedly going to be a reduction in service delivery in some areas of the force business. The cuts in posts will, wherever possible, come from back-office police officer posts and in police staff posts, ensuring where we can that frontline service delivery is maintained."

But adds: "Given that staffing costs make up approximately 86 per cent of the force's budget and the non-pay costs have been reduced in real terms over the past three financial years, it is anticipated that the savings will predominantly have to be made by reducing staff levels.

"Given the reductions in these areas in previous years, further significant cuts will eventually lead to inefficiencies … or may start to compromise operational effectiveness and activity."