The Scottish Government’s recent proposal to convene a national policing board will is being criticised by Jeremy Purvis MSP: Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale MSP, Jeremy Purvis.

The Justice Secretary announced the plan in a letter to the Justice Committee as part of the Government’s response to the independent review of policing in Scotland. The plan would create a national policing body that would take policing controls out of local communities and give them over to a national strategy.

The Scottish Government’s recent proposal to convene a national policing board has been criticised by Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale MSP, Jeremy Purvis.

Kenny MacAskill, the SNP Justice Secretary announced the plan in a letter to the Justice Committee as part of the Government’s response to the independent review of policing in Scotland. The plan would create a national policing body that could take policing controls out of local communities and give them over to a national strategy.

Commenting, Jeremy Purvis said:

“The proposed change to policing procedures assumes a homogenous nature of police concerns, which we all know is not actually the case in Scotland. The priorities and needs of the Borders are markedly different from Glasgow or Edinburgh and trying to wrap all police strategy into one bundle will prevent local communities from receiving the tailored service they deserve.

“The proposed police board would be chaired by the SNP Government. This would be a drastic move away from the accountability structure currently in place in which police are independent of the government and affiliated with a local authority. Whether or not this will see local police boards made redundant or eliminated altogether remains to be seen.

“I have written to the Justice Secretary outlining concerns and asking for a detailed report on how his new policy will impact on G Division. We have seen very good and successful policing locally, with priorities set locally. I wish to see this continue.”