Call for views over Scotland's railway police merger plan
- Published
Merging the functions of BTP with Police Scotland has been a long-standing goal for the Scottish government
MSPs want to hear what people think about plans to merge the British Transport Police (BTP) north of the border with Police Scotland.
Members of the Holyrood's justice committee are scrutinising the Railway Police (Scotland) Bill, external following concerns about the proposed change.
They have already heard from police bosses who said a merger would be "complicated but not insurmountable".
It has been a long held aim of the government to see through the change.
The legislation would give power over railway policing to Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) watchdog.
Want to comment? Send an email to justicecommittee@parliament.scot by Tuesday, 31 January
British Transport Police's deputy chief constable, Adrian Hancock, told the justice committee last month that the plans could create an unnecessary "border" for officers.
MSPs also heard concerns that officers would leave due to uncertainty over terms and conditions and pensions.
Ministers have since pledged that employees' jobs, pay and pensions will all be protected under a "triple lock guarantee" during the process of integration.
The committee wants to hear views on;
the anticipated impact of the move on skills retention
cross-border security arrangements
passenger safety and confidence
relationships with rail operators
how the role or terms and conditions of BTP officers could be affected.
Convener Margaret Mitchell MSP said: "Now the government's plans have been set out, it is important that anyone with an interest in the future of transport policing in Scotland tells us what they think of this fundamental change to policing in Scotland.
"The concerns and evidence raised from these responses will be used to better inform the forthcoming debate and to hold any government actions to account."
- Published16 March 2015
- Published10 March 2015
