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THE SCOTTISH OFFICE HOME DEPARTMENT - POLICE DIVISION POLICE CIRCULAR NO 6/1997

INSPECTING RANKS WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

Introduction

1. The change to the conditions of service of police officers in the ranks of inspector and chief inspector have now operated for over two years. The Scottish Office has agreed to set out its view on the management of the working arrangements of the inspecting ranks and give guidance on some issues which have been raised since the introduction of these arrangements.

Inspecting ranks working arrangements

2. Inspectors and chief inspectors, no less than any other members of police forces, need to be able to plan both for their work and for their personal and family commitments . Consequently, it is important that they should be given, so far as the exigencies of duty permit, reasonable notice of when they will be required to be on duty.

3. For sound reasons to do with the health and welfare of the officer, the safety of others and effective working, no police officer should be required to work excessive hours and, over a period of time, each officer should be allowed to take their full entitlement to days free from the requirement of duty. This is a particular consideration in the case of inspectors, chief inspectors and the higher ranks, who are not paid for overtime.

4. The changes to conditions for members of the inspecting ranks of inspector and chief inspector introduced with effect from 1 September 1994 should not have altered, nor were they intended to alter, the average hours worked each week in posts filled by members of those ranks.