Thousands of Police Scotland officers could be drafted in at weekends under a new plan to change shifts.
Force chiefs have proposed a seven-day model that could affect around 3,000 officers currently working Monday to Friday.
Police Scotland officials say the changes will help reduce the impact of cancelled rest days and improve management during high-demand periods, such as large events.
However, the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) has raised concerns about officer wellbeing and the challenges faced by those with caring responsibilities.
Opposition MSPs warn that “savage and sustained cuts” to police budgets by the Scottish Government have led to these proposals, adding pressure on already overstretched police staff.
In October, 1919 revealed that nearly a quarter of operational police officers lack current safety training, raising fears that the shift change plans will worsen the backlog.
SPF deputy general secretary Lorna Cunningham said: “We’re still in the early days, and it’s clear that any proposed changes will require careful consideration and consultation.
“There’s significant worry among officers with caring responsibilities.
“For those who have care arrangements set Monday to Friday, a shift to weekends is a serious issue.
“Private childcare is hard to come by on weekends, and without family support, it’s nearly impossible to make it work.”
Under the seven-day Force Mobilisation Model (FMM) proposals, officers up to the rank of Inspector would work 10 frontline deployments a year, including two to three designated high-demand days, to provide support during busy periods.
“Private childcare is hard to come by on weekends, and without family support, it’s nearly impossible to make it work”
The rollout will happen in stages, starting with the Operational Support Division and then moving to the Corporate Services Division, Policing Together, Criminal Justice Service Division, Contact, Command and Control Division, Serious Crime Division, and Local Policing.
Priority will be given to event and protest work before assessing the number of officers needed in different areas.
In remote and rural areas, Monday to Friday officers in non-frontline roles may be reassigned to support local response, community work, and custody tasks.
This proposal does not impact officers whose shifts already include weekend work.
Police Scotland surveyed affected officers last month and plans to begin a formal consultation soon.
Cunningham added: “The proposal also raises safety concerns. Some officers who will be redeployed to frontline roles may not have up to date officer safety training or received re-assessment drives.
“Uniform is also a consideration as many of the officers affected will require to be provided with new kit as part of their requirement to be deployed.
“The backlog in officer safety training is well documented and the need to ensure this group of officers are fully trained will undoubtedly increase the demand for courses and abstractions from their core duties.”
“Rather than continually displaying contempt for policing, SNP ministers must finally prioritise it, give them the resources they need”
The move comes after Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority warned that police numbers could drop below 15,000 by March 2026 due to financial pressures.
Holyrood’s criminal justice committee was also told that civilian staff may face compulsory redundancies if there are further cuts in next month’s Scottish Government budget.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesperson Liam Kerr said the proposed changes were “a direct consequence of the SNP’s savage and sustained cuts”.
He told 1919: “Given their ever-depleting resources, this is yet another example of the difficult decisions Police Scotland are being forced to take.
“Rather than continually displaying contempt for policing, SNP ministers must finally prioritise it, give them the resources they need and protect the wellbeing of staff.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur added: “I think many will be worried about this becoming a top-down diktat that fails to properly consider the needs of officers and staff.
“It is, therefore, incredibly important that the police bosses listen closely to concerns raised by the federation and works with officers and staff to agree a sensible way forward.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “The Chief Constable has been clear that bringing frontline policing to its strongest position is a priority.
“The proposed Force Mobilisation Model [dayshift shift pattern] aims to significantly reduce rest day cancellations and meet fluctuations in demand.
“It will enable frontline officers to stay in communities to prevent crime and address threat, risk and harm.
“We will shortly be consulting our officers about these proposals.”