Wick councillor Graeme Smith fears police concerns will be ignored by Scottish Government
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A WICK councillor fears that concerns about the creation of a single Scottish police force will be ignored by the Scottish Government.
Graeme Smith spoke out after a consultation held by the Northern Joint Police Board with police chiefs in Inverness on Wednesday.
The board has expressed worries that a single force will lead to decision-making outwith the Highlands and Islands.
Board members have asked for reassurances that the new force will keep local control of public services and have a service design that is fit for purpose.
They also said that any changes to services in the Highlands and the Islands should be made within the region and not come from a national headquarters.
Mr Smith said he was saddened that the eight Scottish police forces were set to merge but was hopeful local accountability could be retained.
"I am pleased that at the meeting we seemed to be making a bit of a fight of it," he said. "But I fear that what we have put in as a response will be ignored by a government in Holyrood that is becoming more and more centralist and less willing to consider communities at a local level."
He added: "Personally I still feel that regional policing is an issue which is worth fighting for and I feel no questions are truly settled until they are settled correctly."
Read more in Friday’s John O’Groat Journal.
