Detectives are being told to get back in uniform to help Police Scotland cope with a staffing crisis.
Scores of officers are either self-isolating or off sick as the Omicron variant spreads.
Plans have been drawn up to divert plain clothes officers to frontline duties but there has been resistance to the move.
It’s understood some cops are already back in uniform but police chiefs want to divert more CID to help support response teams.
A police source said: “Some officers are back in uniform to help out but there has been resistance and every excuse imaginable has been made to slow the process down.
"But everyone needs to muck in and help as response teams are being hammered. Crime doesn’t stop during a pandemic.”
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “The Omicron variant is having a significant effect on the country and Police Scotland is included in that.
“We are working hard to maximise the availability of officers and staff in frontline policing duties. As a national police service, we are able to flex resources from across different divisions to achieve this.”
