The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) has raised concerns about the proposed downgrading of Perth’s custodial suite.
The SPF believes the decision, which was revealed by the PA earlier this month, is financially motivated.
There is unease over increased risks from more time spent travelling with a custody case to Dundee.
Perth Custody Centre looks set to be reclassified as an ancillary centre rather than a primary centre as part of a criminal justice remodelling programme.
The facility was first stepped down in March 2020 because of the pandemic.
This week Police Scotland confirmed to the Perthshire Advertiser that no one has been held overnight at Perth Police Station since then.
This is because Criminal Justice Services Division has been operating a COVID business continuity operating model at Perth Custody Centre.
Police Scotland told the Perthshire Advertiser the operating model means that it has “sufficient resources” across Tayside to “activate Perth Custody Centre as and when required”.
This happened recently on the Scottish Cup Final weekend.
David Threadgold chairs the North Area Committee of the Scottish Police Federation.
When asked what the response from within the force had been to the centralisation of the custodial suite to Dundee, he said there were “huge concerns in that division”.
He said the move will have a knock-on effect on police officers, those in custody and on the Perth and Kinross community.
The North Area chair said: “It is a financial decision to centralise everything.
“It is motivated by money rather than service or standards.”
He said officers have a responsibility to look after their custodies and treat them with a high standard of care.
The Scottish Police Federation questions how this can be done when someone has to potentially spend up two hours travelling in the back of a van.
The Scottish Police Federation also has concerns some police vehicles are “tired” and “unfit for purpose.”
There are fears additional time spent travelling carries repercussions.
Mr Threadgold said: “It’s time away from response policing back in the local area and it is a risk to police officers and custodies spending increased time in police vans.”
He said it increases the stress levels of prisoners who may need medical assistance if under the influence of drugs /alcohol.
There could be criminal justice implications too.
Evidential tests such as DNA, fingerprints and photos have to be done at the police station.
Mr Threadgold said there was the possible potential it could deter police officers from taking someone into custody if they have to spend their whole shift doing so.
Chief Superintendent Andrew Todd, divisional commander for Tayside, said: “I want to make it clear that, while Perth Custody Centre is subject to a proposed reclassification from a primary, to an ancillary site, the facility is not closing, or being decommissioned, and will be available for activation as and when required.”
He said it was part of a “wider programme of reforms aimed at achieving better outcomes for people in custody and returning police officers to frontline duties.”
CS Todd said analysis showed “while the reclassification may lead to some increase in travelling times, this would be more than offset by reductions in police custody duty abstractions”.
He added: “The additional resilience and capacity created by change in classification would also create opportunities for custody teams at other nearby primary sites to take on other key tasks, such as constant observations and hospital escorts whenever possible.
“Local officers can then get back to their other duties quicker, allowing for an increased visible policing presence within local communities.”
