A major new survey has revealed a third of Police Scotland workers want to quit the force in the next three years.
They say they are undervalued, lack necessary resources, feel pressure in their job and have concerns about their work-life balance.
All 23,438 officers, staff and special constables were quizzed and 11,796 (50.4%) responded – a “significantly higher” rate than in surveys conducted by similar-sized organisations.
Last night, a north-east MSP said the results – which included answers from Scottish Police Authority (SPA) employees – underlined the “extremely low” morale in the force.
And Labour member Lewis Macdonald said they would “come as no surprise” to those working in the Grampian and Highlands and islands areas.
The party’s justice spokesman Graeme Pearson described the report as “damning”.
Overall, 83% said they were treated with respect by their colleagues at work and 78% enjoyed strong, positive relationships with their peers.
More than three-quarters said they were treated with respect by their line managers, but nearly half felt overloaded with information.
While the majority of staff felt able to raise physical and mental health issues with line managers, just 8% of respondents thought the organisation was genuinely interested in wellbeing.
Mr Macdonald pointed to the closure of police station counters and plans to close the 999 control room at Aberdeen’s Queen Street and the 101 service centre at the city’s Bucksburn as factors in the erosion of services in the north and north-east.
He said: “The results of this survey will come as no surprise to police officers and police staff based in the north and north-east.
“Morale is extremely low among the workforce, and there is no sign of any improvement on the horizon.”
Mr Pearson said: “This is a damming report which gives an insight into the incredible pressure officers are under.”
SPA chairman Andrew Flanagan said: “There are a number of very positive findings within the survey that provide reassurance and which we must build upon. There are also issues of concern and areas for improvement.”
Mr Flanagan added that candidates to replace Sir Stephen House as chief constable would be challenged on how they would resolve the issues raised by the 11,796 respondents.
Deputy Chief Constable Neil Richardson said:
“Policing in Scotland has been through major change and has delivered many benefits to the communities we serve, but our officers and staff are clearly telling us there is more we must do in terms of engaging them in the journey ahead.”
The force has been dogged by controversy over the summer, with an inquiry launched after it failed to find a young couple whose car crashed off the M9, despite a sighting reported via the 101 line.