INCREASING numbers of police officers are taking up second jobs – including entertainment – to boost their pay packets, we can reveal.
Figures show Police Scotland’s cash-strapped cops have logged a total of 1,304 separate business interests with force bosses since 2019.
The number has been steadily increasing, with 153 second jobs recorded in the 2019/2020 increasing to 371 in 2023/2024.
This year, the force has already recorded 209 additional business interests from officers by the end of August.
The news comes just days after the Scottish Police Federation warned that officers were being “treated with contempt” by the Scottish Government after being left waiting months for a formal pay offer.
The organisation, which represents rank-and-file cops, submitted in May a claim for a 5.7 per cent increase for 2024/25. But officers are still waiting for a response.
David Kennedy General Secretary of the SPF, said: “It’s no surprise that given the value of police pay has decreased so much over the years that officers, when they can, will turn to a business interest to cushion that financial loss.
“Police pay restoration is crucial in returning the value of police pay to where it needs to be and will help in the return of the office of constables stature and their pivotal role in society.”
Police pay is set by SNP ministers in collaboration with Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority.
Figures show that since 2019 many have turned to second sources of income.
Documents show 87 were involved in entertainment and 146 education and coaching, while 152 sport were involved in sport and 15 in construction.
A whopping 374 made extra dosh with property letting, and 312 were involved in shops or similar business.
Papers also show that 107 were volunteers outside of their cop jobs, while 25 were support workers and 85 involved in unspecified trades.
Police staff also registered 328 second jobs since 2019.
Cops secured a seven per cent wage rise last year following a bitter dispute after an initial claim of 8.5 per cent was repeatedly rejected.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police Scotland has strict procedures to monitor business interests declared by officers and staff.
“Assessments are made on every application as to whether declared business interests could interfere with colleagues ability to meet core delivery standards.
“If any conflict was discovered, the business interest would not be approved.
“No other post can be considered to be a second full time job – many, in fact, are voluntary or charitable posts, such as assisting in hospices, with RNLI and Coastguard crews, or local sports clubs. some cover responsibilities such as school parent council member and foster carer.”
