Police Scotland is facing intense scrutiny after it was revealed its deputy chief constable received a six-figure sum in taxpayer-funded relocation assistance, just weeks after the force demanded an extra £140 million from the Scottish Government.
Six-Figure Sums for Senior Moves
Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors was handed £112,526 to help cover her move to Scotland after a career with the Metropolitan Police in London. The payment, made in the 2023-24 financial year, included taxable relocation expenses of £61,889, with the remainder covering associated tax costs.
This revelation follows the disclosure that her boss, Chief Constable Jo Farrell, received £134,426 under the same scheme to assist with purchasing a second home in Edinburgh while retaining her family home in Northumberland.
Mounting Criticism Over Spending
The substantial payments have ignited a fierce backlash, particularly as Police Scotland's leadership has publicly warned of severe financial pressures. John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, branded the costs "unacceptably high."
"These are unacceptably high relocation costs which would scarcely be believable even in the case of a major international move," O’Connell stated. He argued that while covering necessary expenses is reasonable, the lack of spending caps within the Scottish police force is clear and policies must be reassessed.
Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr echoed the criticism, stating: "At a time when police numbers are at crisis levels and officers are struggling with SNP cuts, it beggars belief that Police Scotland have allowed more than £100,000 to be blown on a relocation perk."
Broader Context of Force Spending
The controversy over relocation expenses is not an isolated incident. Earlier in the week, it emerged that a civilian finance chief at Police Scotland, Deputy Chief Officer David Page, received an early retirement package worth nearly £380,000 after a failed bullying claim against Chief Constable Jo Farrell.
The Scottish Police Authority (SPA), which oversees the force, defended the payment to Ms Connors. A spokesman said the expenses were "in line with the chief officer relocation procedure" and consistent with regulations agreed through the Police Negotiating Board for Scotland.
Ms Connors, who earns a salary of £213,394, has over 30 years of police service. She joined Police Scotland in 2023 with executive responsibility for crime and operational support, having previously coordinated the Met's response to Violence against Women & Girls.
These disclosures place the force's financial management under a harsh spotlight, as it navigates claimed budget shortfalls and calls for increased government funding while approving significant expenditure on senior staff perks.
