Highland police "did not explain gun policy very well"
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Highland Liberal Democrats have welcomed the engagement of Chief Superintendent Julian Innes in the ongoing debate over the routine use of armed police in the Highlands.
Ahead of a meeting between Superintendent Innes and the Highland Council on Thursday (12), Highland MP Danny Alexander reiterated his opposition to the change in police tactics and the lack of transparency in changing the culture of Highland policing.
Earlier this week Superintendent Innes stated that he believed he “probably had not explained” the police tactics very well.
Highland MP Danny Alexander said: “I welcome Superintendent Innes’ willingness to speak with local representatives on this matter. I have been contacted by many people across the Highlands concerned by what they see as imposing central belt tactics on Highland communities.
“The issue is not simply one of poor communication of the tactic, it is of the tactic itself.
“It is a fundamental change in the culture of Highland policing which has lost much of its traditional community focus since the formation of the SNP’s centralised police force.
“We live in one of the safest regions in the UK and local officers do a fantastic job for their communities. There is simply no need for bobbies to carry fire-arms for regular duties and Police Scotland should re-think this strategy.”
Lib Dem council group spokesman, Cllr Hamish Wood said: “A one-size-fits-all police force will not work, it will damage the service across Scotland and particularly here in the Highlands.
“Local needs must be attended to. We want to see some of those crucial decision making powers brought back to the Highlands – that is the only way the Highlanders will get the service we need.”
