Council expresses serious concerns about Police Scotland control room proposals Police Scotland announced today (24 January) that a report about the future of their contact centres and control rooms would be presented to the Scottish Police Authority Board on Thursday 30 January. Dumfries and Galloway Council Leader Ronnie Nicholson responded with shock and disappointment to the news that Police Scotland is proposing to close the control room in Dumfries, amongst others. Councillor Nicholson said, “Alongside the Depute Council Leader, I met with the Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick of Police Scotland as recently as Wednesday 22 January. We stressed the need for consultation with local people and organisations before any proposals for control room closures were progressed. I am shocked that the Deputy Chief Constable did not have the courtesy to inform us that a paper on proposed closures would be going to the Scottish Police Authority Board next week.” Depute Leader, Councillor Brian Collins, said, “I support everything the Leader has said. We were given assurances by DCC Fitzpatrick that early dialogue would be at the top of her agenda in all future dealing between our Council and Police Scotland. I am sickened by the announcement and its timing in relation to these assurances. This would be a great loss to our region, not only in terms of jobs, but also in terms of local knowledge. Callers expect a rapid response to their enquiries and a degree of understanding of the local geography and community issues by the call handlers. People need to have confidence that the Police can respond effectively to their concerns, especially in critical situations. This closure will undermine that trust and confidence in the effectiveness of policing in our region.” Councillor Andrew Wood is chair of the Councils Police, Fire and Rescue Sub Committee. He said, There has been a distinct lack of consultation about these proposals. I will certainly be lobbying intensely about this matter which is of great importance to people in Dumfries and Galloway.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 16:23:53 +0000