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New police recruits
27/06/2008
The latest batch of new recruits of Scotland's police forces took part in their passing out parade at Tulliallan police college today.
The numbers included the last 44 of the 150 additional police officers directly funded by the Scottish Government in 2007-08.
The Government has committed to directly fund the recruitment of 1,000 officers across the lifetime of this Parliament.
Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said:
"The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a more visible policing presence on our streets and in our communities.
"That is why we are directly funding the recruitment of 1,000 additional officers. Hand in hand with this, we are working with chief constables and police boards to improve the retention of officers and support the redeployment of officers to enhance operational policing.
"The final batch of the first 150 additional officers passing out of Tulliallan today are positive proof that this Government is meeting its commitment.
"People feel safer from crime if they see and experience effective frontline policing and communities are stronger with an accessible police presence to deal with all sorts of everyday emergencies.
"These new officers reinforce the message that we are determined to see more police officers becoming part of the fabric of the communities they serve - building local knowledge, forging strong relationships with families and businesses and helping support safe, strong communities for all."