Council bosses are demanding Scotland’s police chief defend the controversial policy of arming officers on routine patrols.
Members of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) invited Sir Stephen House to explain himself at a future next leaders meeting after agreeing “to the principle that police officers should not carry firearms on regular duties”.
The move, agreed at talks in Edinburgh yesterday, was hailed by campaigners in the north, who have led opposition to the policy, saying it is inappropriate in a region with one of the lowest crime rates in Scotland.
Cosla members said they were concerned that allowing officers to openly display their weapons was contributing to a perception of “heavy-handed” policing, especially when seen alongside the “apparent increase” of stop-and-search tactics.
SNP Councillor Richard Laird, who stood in for Highland Council leader Drew Hendry at the meeting, said it showed that the misgivings which have been expressed in the north were shared across Scotland.
“It is entirely in line with the position Highland Council has taken on the issue of armed policing,” he added.
“I don’t think having police walking down Inverness High Street with a pistol on their hips when they don’t need to have one is necessary or appropriate.”
A small number of officers throughout Scotland were given a standing authority to carry guns following the merger of the old eight forces into Police Scotland.
The decision prompted concern from MSPs, local authority leaders and some members of the public, but Police Scotland and the Justice Secretary said it was a national expansion of a policy already in place in Strathclyde, Tayside and Northern police areas.
A report prepared for Cosla members yesterday raised issues including a lack of consultation on the decision and the effect on the public’s perception of the force.
The group agreed to write to Police Scotland to seek clarification on the standing firearms authority, and to respond to three separate reviews of the policy launched by Police Scotland, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.
Deputy leader of Highland Council David Alston said it was a significant intervention.
“Local government and councillors have in the past had an important role in holding the police to account,” he said.
“That has been removed so it is entirely appropriate the Cosla now is entering into this dispute and trying to hold the chief constable to account.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We welcome the reviews by both the Scottish Police Authority and HMICS (inspectorate of constabulary) following our request to the inspectorate for an independent assessment of the standing authority decision process.
“Police Scotland’s armed policing monitoring group met last week as part of its regular schedule of quarterly reviews for the standing firearms authority.
“Recommendations from the meeting will be submitted to the chief constable for an operational decision which will include consideration of the areas previously raised which include feedback from community impact, the types of carriage used for firearms and the guidance for how armed officers are deployed.
“We will consider any recommendations that come from these reviews.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Decisions on the use of resources, including armed police officers, are clearly a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland.
“However, it is important there is appropriate oversight to ensure transparency in decision making and to reassure the public and Parliament.”