Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 February 2026 [Draft]
11 Feb 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Community Policing
I am happy to use my time in this way, because the silence is telling. Angela Constance gave a speech in which she said that everything is fine and there is nothing to worry about, but there is something to worry about. If our justice secretary in Scotland has no regrets over the number of police officers falling or the impact that that is having on local policing, that is an issue. It is an issue if SNP MSPs vote for an amendment tonight that deletes that point, because the cuts are having an impact.
I asked local officers in Moray about the level of policing in the area and I was told that, just a few years ago, before the establishment of Police Scotland, we had eight officers per shift in Elgin, but we now have eight for the whole of Moray, and sometimes even fewer. For one town, we had eight officers. Now, for Elgin, Forres, Lossiemouth, Buckie, Keith and all the rural communities, we get eight in total, yet we have a justice secretary who does not regret that.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-20730, in the name of Pauline McNeill, on community policing. I invite members who wish to speak in the d...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
Vital to any high-performing justice system is a well-trusted, visible police service. Scotland’s police force is respected across the world, but there can b...
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs (Angela Constance)
SNP
I thank Police Scotland officers and staff for their dedication in keeping our communities safe. The Scottish Government recognises their vital role, which i...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
I call Liam Kerr to speak to and move amendment S6M-20730.2.16:13
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
We cannot fix a problem if we do not first acknowledge that it exists. That is why the Pollyanna contribution that we have just heard from the cabinet secret...
Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green)
Green
When we talk about community policing, what we are really talking about is the values that we think should be at the heart of our communities, and we are tal...
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I thank Pauline McNeill for bringing the debate to the chamber today. There can be no doubt about the pressures on policing across Scotland and the impact of...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
We move to the open debate.16:25
Davy Russell (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (Lab)
Lab
SNP members often like to hide behind carefully chosen statistics that hide the real situation on the ground and how people are feeling, but, on this issue, ...
Rona Mackay (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
Presiding Officer,“Community policing matters to us all. It brings significant benefits by strengthening trust, visibility and collaboration between police a...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
We know that people want to feel safe in their communities. They want to know that, when they call the police, they will come, and they want visible officers...
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I remind members of my declaration in the register of members’ interests that my wife is a police sergeant in Moray.I always come to debates on this topic ke...
Angela Constance
SNP
I will use my five minutes to sum up, as is my right.
Douglas Ross
Con
I am offering my time to the cabinet secretary.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
I think that it is clear that the cabinet secretary is not seeking to intervene, so I suggest that you continue, Mr Ross.
Douglas Ross
Con
I do not think that that is clear, which is why I am going to give the cabinet secretary another opportunity. She has taken a clear position to delete those ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
I think that it is clear now that the cabinet secretary is not seeking to intervene. The member has only four minutes, and we are at two minutes 36 seconds.
Douglas Ross
Con
I am happy to use my time in this way, because the silence is telling. Angela Constance gave a speech in which she said that everything is fine and there is ...
Pauline McNeill
Lab
Will the member give way?
Douglas Ross
Con
I am sorry—
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
The member is concluding.
Douglas Ross
Con
I know that. I do not have time.It has been telling that, even in my four minutes, the justice secretary would rather stay silent about the cuts than admit t...
Fulton MacGregor (Coatbridge and Chryston) (SNP)
SNP
I am pleased to contribute to this debate on community policing, which speaks directly to how people across Scotland experience safety, reassurance and conne...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
Mr MacGregor, you need to bring your remarks to a close.
Fulton MacGregor
SNP
Sorry, Deputy Presiding Officer—I ended up talking so much about the local—
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
Please bring your remarks to a close.
Fulton MacGregor
SNP
I will close there. Thank you.16:46
Maggie Chapman
Green
I thank Pauline McNeill for securing this debate. Although we will not be supporting her motion at decision time, I share her frustration at the persistence ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Annabelle Ewing)
SNP
I call Sharon Dowey to close the debate on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives.16:50
Sharon Dowey (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
Throughout the debate, we have heard from members across the chamber about the sheer importance of the role that policing plays in our society. We have right...