Lib Dems attack the centralisation of Scottish policing (North Tayside Liberal Democrats)

North Tayside Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems attack the centralisation of Scottish policing

June 24, 2009 8:56 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrats have attacked Scottish Government proposals to convene a national policing board.

The new board is announced in a letter to the Justice Committee from the Justice Secretary as part of the Government's response to the independent review of policing in Scotland.Robert Brown MSP: Glasgow

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Robert Brown MSP said:

"Liberal Democrats believe that a one-size-fits-all approach to policing is entirely wrong.

"These proposals will be viewed with huge concern across Scotland, where the value of local policing has long proved its worth to local communities. Solutions that are suitable for Glasgow or Edinburgh may well be entirely wide of the mark for Wick or Kelso.

"Centralisation of policing in Scotland is a thoroughly bad idea. Traditionally the police have been operationally independent of government and locally accountable.

"The national body proposed by the SNP Government is to be chaired by the Government. While we await full details of how is it intended to operate, it is clear that the Government have in mind that there should be a single national view on policing and that the local police boards will either become redundant or be abolished."