Police officers protest in Glasgow over pay as talks reach 'crisis point'

Around 100 police officers are protesting in the streets of Glasgow as pay talks reach “crisis point”.

On Thursday, officers gathered outside the Merchants’ House of Glasgow, where a Scottish Police Authority meeting is taking place.

It comes as pay talks between the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) and Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority and the Scottish Government reached “crisis point”.

The SPF, which represents 16,500 rank and file policemen and women, has accused upper management of “snubbing” Scotland’s police officers after a pay claim for a 5.5% increase for 2024/25 was rejected.

The Police Negotiating Board for Scotland, which includes the Scottish Government, said the original 4.75% was a fair offer.

#NoStrikeFairPay Police Officers are protesting outside the Scottish Police Authority meeting this morning over our treatment over pay. Other public services have received 5.5%, which is what we are asking for. We are being offered 4.75%. The anger from colleagues is palpable. pic.twitter.com/tCDnW4MODU
— ScotsPolFed 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇦 (@ScotsPolFed) November 28, 2024

SPF general secretary David Kennedy said: “We will be taking to the streets on Thursday as we have been left with no choice. The anger is palpable.

“Unlike doctors, council workers and train drivers we can’t strike or take industrial action and that is one of the most effective ways to make politicians in government listen.

“For many officers it is increasingly difficult to make ends meet, given the rate of inflation and high energy prices. We are asking for a fair pay award in recognition of our contribution to society.”

The SPF added that the demands of policing has increased “significantly” in recent years, alongside a rise in violent attacks on officers.

According to a force report submitted to the SPA’s people committee, sickness absences due to assault rose by 36.2% between 2022/23 and 2023/24.

Around 100 officers joined the protest. STV News

The union has also claimed that officers’ pay has fallen behind other public sector bodies since 2006, when the previous pay mechanism was withdrawn.

Kennedy said that low pay and the increasing demands of the job have resulted in officers quitting the service in droves.

“We are losing dozens of officers every month due to the demands of the job and the fact that they can earn significantly better pay elsewhere. Soon there will simply not be enough serving officers to keep the public safe,” he added.