The proposed integration of the British Transport Police in Scotland into Police Scotland will come under the spotlight of Holyrood’s Justice Committee tomorrow.
The Committee will hear from: Chief Constable Paul Crowther, British Transport Police; Nigel Goodband, National Chairman, British Transport Police Federation; Tom McMahon, Director of Business Integration, Police Scotland; Calum Steele, General Secretary, Scottish Police Federation; and then from Dan Moore, Deputy Director, Rail Markets Strategy, Department for Transport and Donna Bell, Deputy Director, Police Division, Scottish Government.
This follows the news that the integration, which was backed by a majority of the Committee and the Parliament last year, will be delayed; and warnings from academic experts and representative organisations that the integration is more complex and costly than anticipated.
Speaking ahead of the session, Committee Convener, Margaret Mitchell MSP, said:“The Justice Committee has been presented with a number of stark and worrying claims from respected organisations and individuals who speak with authority about transport policing.
“This session is a chance for the Committee to scrutinise these claims, following the announcement that the April 2019 integration date will not be met.
“The Committee will also be very interested to hear how those in charge of the integration are to address these concerns.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
