By Bill Heaney
SNP cuts to policing are taking a toll on workers, Scottish Labour has warned as mental health absences soar.
Figures obtained by a freedom of information request have revealed soaring mental health absences among police officers and staff over the last four years, amid increasing pressure on numbers and poor recruitment returns.
Between 2018-19 and 2022-23 the number of working days lost to mental health absences soared by 67 per cent among police officers and a staggering 165 per cent among police staff.
In total 59,073 police officer working days and 22,828 police staff working days were lost to mental health absences in 2022/23.
This revelation follows news that police officer numbers have fallen to their lowest point in 15 years, renewing concerns about stress levels.
Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill, right, said “These shocking figures expose the immense pressure Police Scotland is under.
“Years of cuts to policing by the SNP have pushed services to breaking point and taken a huge toll on officers and staff.
“With police officer numbers at a 15 year low and more cuts looming, there is a real risk that stress levels will continue to rise among overstretched officers and staff.
“Across the board lifeline services, including mental health services, are overwhelmed and too often Police Officers are left to bear the brunt.
“The SNP must ensure that police officers and staff have the support and fair working conditions they need so that Police Scotland can keep communities safe.”
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Working Days Lost attributed to mental health absences each financial year from 2018/19 to 2022/23
|
Year |
Police Officer |
Police Staff |
|
2022/23 |
59,073 |
22,828 |
|
2021/22 |
51,290 |
25,142 |
|
2020/21 |
44,295 |
23,820 |
|
2019/20 |
43,413 |
20,384 |
|
2018/19 |
35,283 |
8,623 |
|
Increase |
67% |
165% |