POLICE Scotland paid almost out £5.5million last year to settle claims from their own officers and the public, recently released figures show.
The force paid out £5,357,824 in 2024/25 to settle hundreds of compensation and discrimination claims – the highest amount on record.
The total was £2,269,193 more than the previous year and almost £3 million more than in 2021/22.
Settling public claims alone last year cost the force £2,771,902.
Analysis shows the cost of those cases spiralled by £2,452,805 from the previous year when the total paid out was £319,097.
In 2022/23, the total paid out in public claims was £241,284.
Police Scotland refused to confirm if the 386 recipients from last year’s round of costly compensation settlements – which includes payments up to March 31 – included damages paid to the family of Sheku Bayoh.
Mr Bayoh, 31, died in police custody in Fife nine years ago and police chiefs settled their damages action over his “unlawful killing” against the force in March.
Compensation was paid to up to 10 members of his family, with one individual understood to have received a single award of more than £1 million.
Police chiefs have since refused to publicly confirm the total amount paid to the Bayoh family in the out-of-court civil settlement, insisting the details are confidential to respect the privacy of the family.
They have claimed the settlement represented “best value” for the public purse.
The types of cases being raised against Police Scotland include assault, damage to property, dog bites, excessive force, failure to investigate, injuries and unlawful arrest.
Compensation can be paid for accidents involving police cars and staff discrimination cases ending up in employment tribunals.
A breakdown of the overall costs shows Police Scotland paid out £2,771,902 to settle 76 public liability claims – of which £1,070,000 was the largest single payment..
The majority of public claims (68) were at the lower end of the scale, up to £75,000, amounting to a total of £171,902.
There were two payments in the £250,000-£1m band totalling £790,000; two in the £150,000-25,000 band adding up to £450,000; and three £75,000-150,000 payments adding another £290,000.
Data shows it cost the force £1,238,629 to settle 53 employer liability claims from within their own ranks.
According to Police Scotland, the overwhelming majority of cases brought by officers relate to injuries suffered while on duty.
Settling 257 claims from motorists and road users cost the force another £1,347,293 – up by £333,446 from £1,009,847 the previous year.
Scottish Conservative shadow minister for community safety Sharon Dowey MSP said: “These multi-million-pound payouts mean fewer resources for frontline policing, at a time when the SNP’s failure to properly fund Police Scotland is already putting huge pressure on officers.
“SNP ministers who are responsible for underfunding our police and the broken complaints system must get to the bottom of why the number of legitimate claims and payouts are so high and address the root causes.”
Ms Dowey added: “But it could well be down to the Nationalists’ false economy – namely their swingeing cuts making Police Scotland more likely to make mistakes and less able to provide the service it would like to offer.”
Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson Pauline McNeil insists policing in Scotland is “stretched to breaking point as a result of SNP neglect”.
She said: “It is crucial that money is being spent well.
“The SNP must work with Police Scotland to ensure the highest standards are being upheld at all times and address the underlying issues causing these claims, so that more funding can go to the frontline where it is badly needed.”
The figures do not reflect the millions of pounds spent on legal costs defending actions brought against the force.
News of last year’s record compensation bill comes as Chief Constable Jo Farrell warns the force needs a minimum of £104.9million in additional funding just to maintain current staffing levels.
Officers are reportedly “pushed beyond breaking point” with thousands of rest days being cancelled to cover operational requirements for major events and protests.
Police Scotland have also announced plans to close 29 stations across Scotland, including ones in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee, to help plug their budget hole.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Compensation payments are dealt with on a case by case basis with a view to securing best value for the public purse.”
