1,500 police officers redeployed for Donald Trump’s golf visit to Scotland
US President Donald Trump’s visit to England on Friday caused 1,500 police officers to support their special trip to Scotland and caused turmoil for police chiefs.
Only last -minute demand last week will see that one percent of the police population was re -deployed on Friday and will help Mr. Trump’s five -day private visit to both ayrshire and golf holiday villages in Aberdeenshire.
Concerns about the cost of the police operation was also expressed, it is possible that civil servants will cancel the rest days for the provision of sufficient personnel and to work in addition to the additional hours.
Tiff Lynch, the National President of the United Kingdom and Wales Police Federation, said: “Let’s be clear: This is a special visit by a president to play golf.
“And 1,500 officers – one -third of the average police force in England and Wales – we remove it from normal tasks to support it.
“These otherwise, civil servants who will respond to emergencies and protect vulnerable and reassuring communities.
“Our members will always act with professionalism and pride. But it is hard not to ask a obvious question: What message does this send the priorities of policing?”
The exact number of policemen, known as the operation Roll, was not announced, but all police contact officials of Scotland are expected to need a staff.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Scottish First Minister John Swinney are expected to meet with Mr. Trump.
It is likely that the visit will result in widespread protests after similar demonstrations during the last visit to Scotland.
The Chief Inspector Rob Hay, President of the Scottish Police Supervisors Association (ASPS), said that his visit to the US President would need an important operation throughout the country for days ..
Comments come after similar concerns of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), the organ representing rank and file officials.
When asked about the visit, SPF Secretary General David Kennedy told BBC Radio to Scotland: “Everyone who says it would not affect it (policing in Scotland), I cannot believe that this is the case.
“It will affect it. You may have been waiting for a long time in the past for a police officer to arrive, now you may double, you may be waiting for more time for them to come.
“Obviously, emergency calls will prioritize, but will affect communities in Scotland.”
While Mr. Swinney accepted the need for safety security around the president ,, he said, olur There should be a legitimate right to announce and protest the voices of individuals in our country ”.
Mr. Swinney said: “We are a democratic society and people should be able to protest in laws, and the police operation will be designed to ensure that the situation is like this.”
Mr. Swinney, who is expected to include the opening of a second golf field in the Menie Resort in Aberdeenshire, said: orum I spend most of my time as the first minister that encourages investment in our country, so I welcome the investment to the facilities put forward. ”
