ONE of Argyll and Bute’s leading police officers has said that it is “good fortune more than anything else” that there have been no serious assaults on cops in the area.
A report revealed that violent crime in the area was on the increase, including common assaults on police and emergency workers.
But addressing a councillor’s concerns, Chief Inspector James McArthur, local area commander for Cowal, Bute and Helensburgh, admitted to relief at no serious assaults on officers.
The discussion took place at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s community services committee on Thursday, December 12.
Councillor Maurice Corry (Conservative, Lomond North) asked: “I have a grave concern about attacks on police officers. Why is there an increase, and is it to do with being arrested for drink and drug offences?”
Chief Superintendent Gary I’Anson responded: “There are a number of factors, one being that officers are more willing to see that it should not be part of the job.
“We have gained a lot of ground in enhancing the training officers receive in relation to how they keep themselves safe.
“Some officers have tasers, so we have improved a lot of equipment, but it comes down to the types of individuals that our officers have to deal with, through drink or drugs at a time of high emotions.
“We want to enhance how we monitor that and give support to officers, and ensure the right outcome happens to that individual.”
Chief Inspector McArthur then said: “It is not acceptable and should not be tolerated, and the fact we are recording it is creating the spike, but it is the right thing to do.
“I think there is more that could be done about enforcing the techniques we get, but the fact we have not had a serious assault on an officer is good fortune more than anything else.
“Hopefully it will be taken seriously going forward.”
Chief Inspector Lee Page added: “There is a wide scale question as well regarding authority, and colleagues in the fire service in particular on key nights like Bonfire Night.
“I think there is a wider issue on how the public interact with our emergency workers.”
Andrew Galloway
Local Democracy Reporter
