By Tom Martin
Police officers are at “breaking point” amid soaring mental health absences and cancelled rest days.
New figures obtained by 1919 show the number of working days lost to psychological disorders including anxiety, depression, and stress has surged by 80 per cent over the past five years.
The number of days taken off by Police Scotland officers suffering mental ill health rose from 44,157 in 2020/21 to 79,472 last year. Civilian staff also reported more than 28,000 days lost in 2024/25, up a fifth on 2020/21.
Almost 50,000 rest days were also cancelled in 2024/25, up 19 per cent on the year before.
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) warned that the current demands being placed on officers are “utterly unsustainable”, calling for more Scottish Government investment when it unveils its budget plans later this year.
Ministers insist they are providing record funding for policing, highlighting an uptick in new recruits, with more expected this year.
Police Scotland said there had been significant improvements in its employee assistance programme and that its latest staff survey will help shape services.
“Unfortunately, my view is that we are at a tipping point where these numbers can only increase”
Scottish Police Federation chair David Threadgold
But SPF chair David Threadgold described the situation as “extremely frustrating and deeply saddening”.
He told 1919: “The current demands placed upon police officers are utterly unsustainable and this upward trend and the associated impact on individual officers and their families must be addressed now.
“Without further meaningful investment in policing to address the total imbalance that exists between supply and demand, the only outcome if we are to safeguard the wellbeing of our officers is to reduce the service that we provide.
“Unfortunately, my view is that we are at a tipping point where these numbers can only increase. This year’s budget allocation is critical for policing in this country.
“If this budget settlement does not allow the growth needed in policing to address these issues, then the government will be responsible for failing those police officers, their families, and our communities – and our communities will be more dangerous because of it.”
The figures show that officer absences for psychological disorders have been rising steadily.
Days lost rose gradually, from 44,157 in 2020/21 to 51,233 the following year, then 60,643 in 2022/23, 66,171 in 2023/24, and 79,472 last year.
Civilian staff absences have been more volatile, peaking at 30,338 in 2023/24, a 34 per cent increase on the previous year, and remaining more than a fifth higher than in 2020/21.
Rest days have also been under pressure. After falling sharply from 64,519 in 2022/23 to 41,698 in 2023/24, cancellations rose again to 49,795 last year, signalling renewed operational strain on both officers and staff.
Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain MP, a former police officer, said: “These figures highlight just how many police officers are at breaking point.
“They are facing pressure-cooker conditions and failing to receive the support they need. Officer numbers are at some of their lowest levels ever.
“SNP ministers have repeatedly deprioritised provision for things like mental health. It’s creating a vicious cycle that leaves officers thin on the ground and could result in many more heading for the door.”
Scottish Conservative justice spokesperson Liam Kerr MSP said: “These alarming figures expose the sheer pressure our hardworking police officers are under as a result of the SNP government’s brutal and sustained cuts.
“There’s a vicious circle of overwhelmed officers going off sick, which in turn increases the stress on their remaining colleagues, who are more likely to fall ill too.”
“We continue to work with our occupational health provider to support our people in their journey back to health and, subsequently, to work”
Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs
Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs told 1919: “The welfare of our people is one of Police Scotland’s highest priorities and we have introduced significant improvements to our employee assistance programme and occupational health services.
“We listened to the results of our staff survey last year and are committed to strengthening our frontline and ensuring our people have the correct resources to carry out their duties.
“Our latest workforce survey for 2025/26 is under way and we expect to publish the results later this year. This feedback is vital in shaping the support provided to officers and staff.
“We continue to work with our occupational health provider to support our people in their journey back to health and, subsequently, to work.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson added: “We are investing a record £1.64 billion for policing in 2025/26 – an increase of £90 million on 2024/25 – and Police Scotland took on more recruits in 2024/25 than at any time since 2013, with more intakes planned this year.
“Scotland continues to have more police officers per capita than England and Wales and recorded crime has fallen by more than half since 1991.”