A police chief has said that the controversial closure of Aberdeen’s control rooms might be reconsidered if an “appropriate” alternative proposal emerges.
Police Scotland’s assistant chief constable East division, Mike McCormick, has revealed that the plan to shut down the Queen Street 999 control room and Bucksburn’s non-emergency service centre could change as the force analyses the impact other closures have in Scotland.
The Aberdeen bases will be last affected in a two-year shut-down of control rooms across the country – a move approved by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) earlier this year.
Dumfries has already closed, with Stirling, Glenrothes, Pitt Street in Glasgow and Aberdeen to follow between now and December 2015.
Closing Aberdeen’s Queen Street base would lead to all emergency calls from the north-east being routed to Dundee or Glasgow.
The plans have provoked widespread criticism from political leaders and the public – with many saying the move will lead to the loss of local knowledge.
But Mr McCormick has told Aberdeen MSP Mark McDonald that each shut-down in Scotland will be followed by a detailed review – and that before any action is taken in Aberdeen, the force will analyse what has happened in other parts of the country.
In correspondence seen by the Press and Journal, he says the SPA will go ahead with the set-up that will improve call handling and provide the best possible service for the public.
“I can confirm that our proposal relating to the facilities at Aberdeen will be scrutinised and should it be the case that new information emerges that demonstrates an alternative approach to the current strategic direction would be appropriate, then an amended approach to the proposals for Aberdeen will be developed and implemented in consultation with staff and stakeholders,” he said.
Mr McCormick wrote to Mr McDonald after the SNP MSP urged him to reconsider the matter.
Mr McDonald said he was pleased that the option of keeping Queen Street and Bucksburn open was not completely off the table.
“The situation is far from cut and dry, judging by the assistant chief constable’s remarks,” he said.
“There remains hope that the Aberdeen and Bucksburn decision could yet be looked at again, especially given local calls for police and fire to adopt a collaborative approach to control room functions.”