Police Scotland Officers Weigh Legal Action Over Donald Trump Visit Preparations

Key Takeaways

Police Scotland officers are considering legal action over operational preparations for Donald Trump's visit, citing staffing shortages and breaches of workplace agreements.
The Scottish Police Federation, representing 98% of officers, seeks legal advice due to concerns about the adequacy of the police workforce for the high-profile event.
Trump's visit includes stops at his Scottish golf courses and meetings with UK political leaders, marking his first UK trip since 2020.
Police Scotland has requested mutual aid from the Police Service of Northern Ireland to manage resource demands during the event.
Ongoing staffing challenges and health and safety concerns within Scottish policing are highlighted by the potential legal dispute.

Police Scotland officers are exploring legal action against their employer over the operational arrangements for U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Scotland later this week, according to reports.

The Scottish Police Federation, which represents 98% of Police Scotland's officers, convened a meeting on Monday to discuss the preparations for Trump's visit, set to take place between July 25 and 29. The federation is reportedly seeking legal advice, citing concerns that the event will place undue pressure on Scotland's limited police workforce.

David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, expressed concerns about the adequacy of the police force in Scotland to handle such a large-scale event. "This is a big event for Police Scotland, but we have major concerns," Kennedy told STV. "We do not have enough police officers in Scotland. Anyone that says we do, I don’t know where they get those figures from."

According to Kennedy, the upcoming visit not only highlights the ongoing staffing shortages but also raises concerns about breaches of legally binding workplace agreements. "We currently have workforce agreements in place to protect police officers and provide minimum standards of health and safety at work," he said. "Sadly, we have seen these agreements breached in the days leading to the arrival of POTUS, and as such we are seeking legal advice regarding potential legal action against the service."

The visit will include stops at Trump's golf courses in Turnberry (Ayrshire) and Menie (Aberdeenshire). Trump is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Aberdeen and has plans to meet with Scotland's First Minister John Swinney as part of his state visit. This visit marks Trump's first to the UK since his re-election in 2020 and his second state visit overall.

In response to the staffing concerns, Police Scotland has requested mutual aid from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). Mutual aid is a formal arrangement where police forces provide assistance to one another during major incidents or when resources are stretched. According to a spokesperson from the PSNI, "There are well-established processes for any UK-based Police Services to request support from other services at times of peak demand. These requests are managed via the National Police Co-ordination Centre (NPoCC), and we can confirm that PSNI have received a request to provide mutual aid to Police Scotland, which we are currently assessing."

Acknowledging the concerns raised by the Scottish Police Federation, Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond stated, "We are working closely with the Scottish Police Federation to address any concerns they may have."

The incident highlights ongoing challenges within Scottish policing, particularly regarding workforce adequacy and the strain placed on officers during high-profile events. As Trump's visit approaches, the situation remains under scrutiny, with potential legal actions looming if the officers' concerns remain unaddressed.