Safeguard us from verbal abuse, demand beat police

POLICE officers want the Scottish Government to introduce legislation protecting them from verbal abuse.

They want people who swear or threaten them in the street to be prosecuted under breach of the peace laws.

Although there are no specific laws in place protecting police and other emergency workers, the Criminal Justice and Licensing Act, passed last year, included an offence of threatening behaviour which could be used.

The motion put forward by officers from Strathclyde will be discussed at the Scottish Police Federation conference next week.

The motion reads: "This (Strathclyde) Joint Branch Board ask annual conference to ask Joint Central Committee to demand the Scottish Government create and or amend legislation, seeking protection of police constables from direct verbal abuse."

It goes on to categorise the abuse as "swearing, threats, and or demeaning and defamatory comment" and calls on the Scottish Government to ensure "police constables, as human beings, have protection in the workplace and their human rights are upheld."

The federation represents both uniform and detective constables, sergeants and inspectors in Scotland's eight police forces.

The Scottish Government is now in a state of purdah, ahead of the elections on 5 May, and unable to discuss future legislation.

A spokesman said: "The future legislative programme for the Scottish Government will be determined by the incoming administration after the Scottish election."

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