Police force busts budget by £336,000 on legal help for officers

SCOTLAND’S biggest police force is facing an unprecedented overspend on legal fees for officers defending criminal charges.

Strathclyde Police has exceeded its budget for legal assistance in 2012-13 by £336,000 so far, pointing to an increase in the number of officers facing criminal allegations.

The force said it was concerned by the unexpected rise, adding that some cases had been “more complex and involved”.

Politicians have called for an investigation into why there has been such a jump in cost to the taxpayer.

A force spokeswoman said: “Strathclyde Police is concerned about the rising costs of legal expenses in respect of criminal proceedings brought against police officers. This has reached £336,000 this year and is a significant spend of public funds.

“Where criminal proceedings are brought against a police officer in respect of any act alleged to have been committed in the execution of police duty, the police officers can apply for legal assistance from the police authority for his or her defence.”

The decision to award legal fees is the responsibility of the deputy chief constable, who looks at whether the charge is likely to give rise to a civil action against the force.

The force spokeswoman added: “It is important that an officer who has acted in good faith has access to legal funding and Strathclyde Police is content that the decisions taken by the deputy chief constable and the force in relation to the funding of legal expenses are sound, consistent and fair with due regard to the set criteria.

“When funding is refused, it is open to the officer concerned or his or her representative to appeal that decision to the police authority, which may uphold that decision or overturn the refusal to grant funding.”