Local politicians David Mundell MP and Alex Fergusson MSP are about to meet Stephen House, the Chief Constable responsible for Scotland’s new single Police Force.
The proposed meeting follows recent discussions between the Dumfriesshire MP and local area commander Chief Superintendent Kate Thomson, who is responsible for policing in Dumfries and Galloway.
At the meeting the politicians will be arguing for the status quo for policing in Dumfries and Galloway.
Mr Mundell has previously expressed serious reservations about the single force, but was encourage by the local area commander’s reassurances that most things will continue as they are, and the fact that officers based locally will continue to determine the nature of the regions policing provision. Mr Mundell and Mr Fergusson are now keen to ensure that Scotland’s Chief Constable Stephen House understands the specific circumstances and policing expectations in Dumfries and Galloway.
Commenting Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell said: “This meeting is important as I want to ensure that Scotland’s Chief Constable is fully aware of the circumstances in Dumfries and Galloway. It is important that he understands understand the policing provision we have had and that we don’t want to see that change. It is essential that local people’s views are heard at the national level within the new structure
“We are privileged to live in a low crime area but it is important that the role of effective community based policing is recognised as having achieved this. Clearly everyone wants to see these resources maintained and it is right that decisions about policing in Dumfries and Galloway continue to take the views of local officers into account.”
Mr Mundell added: “I am reassured after talking at length with our new local area commander that she feels that the public will see minimal changes to successful local policing.