Statistics show 31.9 per cent of those who completed questionnaires were leaving to start a new career.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats called on SNP ministers to "listen to the concerns of officers and communities" and revisit proposed real-terms budget cuts.

The party’s deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain said: “The responses in this survey show that many officers feel unsupported, overwhelmed and stretched dangerously thin, but the Scottish Government is compounding those strains.

Officers quitting Police Scotland have cited working patterns and a lack of resources as reasons for their decision

“Officers are heading for the exit, leaving the service without the expertise and skill it needs to keep communities safe.

“A career in the police involves complex pressures and high-level demands. The Scottish Government must make sure officers have the support and resources they need to do their job, and the opportunities for development and career progression that make the long hours and tough conditions feel worth it.

“That's why Scottish Liberal Democrats are calling on Nicola Sturgeon to rethink her proposed cuts to justice budgets. In the interests of policing and our wider justice system, SNP/Green ministers need to listen to the concerns of officers and communities and revisit their plans.”

David Page, the deputy chief officer at Police Scotland, previously warned 4,400 jobs among officers and staff could be lost over the next four years unless funding is increased. He also said the non-emergency 101 line may have to be axed.

The Law Society of Scotland has raised concerns the resource spending review, which sets out the Scottish Government's broad plans over coming years, amounts to a real-terms cut of at least 20 per cent to Scotland's justice sector by 2027.

A Liberal Democrat Freedom of Information request reveals the reasons for leaving given by officers and staff who departed between October last year and this August.

It found 36.2 per cent of respondents cited career advancement, while 31.9 per cent cited career change. Some 20.2 per cent cited a lack of resources, and the same percentage cited working patterns. Meanwhile, 16 per cent cited a lack of recognition and 10.6 per cent cited remuneration.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “While the deployment of resources is a policing matter for the Chief Constable, the Scottish Government is committed to supporting Police Scotland to deliver sustainable excellence to keep communities safe. In 2021/22, the rate of voluntary resignation among officers in Scotland was less than half that in England and Wales, and new officers here receive around £5,000 a year more.

"A police recruitment drive has also seen around 900 new recruits take the oath of office this year. We welcome initiatives being undertaken by Police Scotland to support its workforce and will continue to work with the SPA and Police Scotland to ensure they are fully supported.”

Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: “Policing is a relentless, but immensely rewarding vocation and I am hugely grateful to those who step forward to provide vital public service.

“Last year, an independent academic survey of almost 7,400 Police Scotland officers and staff found high levels of job satisfaction throughout our service. As with all sectors, people leave policing for all sorts of reasons. However, retention levels within Police Scotland are very high compared with other organisations.

“Right across the country, officers and staff are working incredibly hard to maintain effective policing for all our communities and the organisation is deeply grateful for all their hard work during this time of significant challenge.

“To mitigate resource pressures in the short to medium term, we have increased our recruitment plans and recently welcomed more than 300 probationers into Police Scotland, with the total number joining the service this calendar year standing at 900."

Police Scotland officers cite working patterns and resources as reasons for quitting