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| Move to cover up Police Scotland firearms | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Firearms carried by police officers in Scotland are expected to be covered with a new type of holster to make them less visible to the public. | Firearms carried by police officers in Scotland are expected to be covered with a new type of holster to make them less visible to the public. |
| Senior Police Scotland officers said trained officers should still be able to routinely carry the weapons, but their visibility should be reduced. | Senior Police Scotland officers said trained officers should still be able to routinely carry the weapons, but their visibility should be reduced. |
| The policy on the carrying of firearms has proven controversial. | The policy on the carrying of firearms has proven controversial. |
| The recommendation has been sent to Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House for his agreement. | The recommendation has been sent to Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House for his agreement. |
| The move, which would also cover Taser stun guns, was made at the latest quarterly meeting to address firearms issues from around the country, the BBC has learned. | The move, which would also cover Taser stun guns, was made at the latest quarterly meeting to address firearms issues from around the country, the BBC has learned. |
| Following the session, held on 16 September, a police source said: "At the meeting, it was agreed that a more discreet holster should be introduced to reduce the visibility of the handguns and the yellow holsters. | Following the session, held on 16 September, a police source said: "At the meeting, it was agreed that a more discreet holster should be introduced to reduce the visibility of the handguns and the yellow holsters. |
| "But the recommendation was made by Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins to keep the standing order (allowing trained officers to routinely carry weapons)." | "But the recommendation was made by Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins to keep the standing order (allowing trained officers to routinely carry weapons)." |
| 'Public protection' | 'Public protection' |
| The source added: "The decision will be taken by the chief constable. It's important to remember almost every force in the UK has such a standing order and that it's about keeping the public safe." | The source added: "The decision will be taken by the chief constable. It's important to remember almost every force in the UK has such a standing order and that it's about keeping the public safe." |
| The standing order, introduced in April 2013, means specially-trained officers can carry their weapons with them at all times while on duty, rather than having to return to an armed response vehicle or base to collect them for the purpose of attending firearms incidents. | The standing order, introduced in April 2013, means specially-trained officers can carry their weapons with them at all times while on duty, rather than having to return to an armed response vehicle or base to collect them for the purpose of attending firearms incidents. |
| The policy has been controversial, with opposition politicians describing the practice as "deeply disturbing for the public". | The policy has been controversial, with opposition politicians describing the practice as "deeply disturbing for the public". |
| They have also criticised a "lack of transparency" in how senior police have dealt with the policy. | They have also criticised a "lack of transparency" in how senior police have dealt with the policy. |
| Police Scotland has said that only 275 of its 17,000 officers routinely carried guns on duty, allowing them to attend incidents more quickly. | Police Scotland has said that only 275 of its 17,000 officers routinely carried guns on duty, allowing them to attend incidents more quickly. |
| Those officers are routinely deployed to other duties, but that means they sometimes patrol high streets and shopping centres while carrying guns. | Those officers are routinely deployed to other duties, but that means they sometimes patrol high streets and shopping centres while carrying guns. |
| Earlier this week, local authority umbrella group Cosla opposed the policy of allowing police officers to carry guns while on routine patrol. | Earlier this week, local authority umbrella group Cosla opposed the policy of allowing police officers to carry guns while on routine patrol. |
| Councillors in the Highlands previously questioned the routine deployment of officers visibly carrying handguns in a region with low levels of violent crime. | Councillors in the Highlands previously questioned the routine deployment of officers visibly carrying handguns in a region with low levels of violent crime. |
| Operational decision | Operational decision |
| Independent Highland MSP and former police officer John Finnie has also raised concerns about the rollout of the policy. | Independent Highland MSP and former police officer John Finnie has also raised concerns about the rollout of the policy. |
| Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority are both currently conducting reviews of the practice. | Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority are both currently conducting reviews of the practice. |
| HMIC is expected to report next month, with its recommendations likely to include references to the visibility of the firearms being carried by officers. | HMIC is expected to report next month, with its recommendations likely to include references to the visibility of the firearms being carried by officers. |
| In a statement, Police Scotland said: "Recommendations from the meeting will be submitted to the chief constable for an operational decision. | In a statement, Police Scotland said: "Recommendations from the meeting will be submitted to the chief constable for an operational decision. |
| "This will include consideration of the areas previously raised by DCC Iain Livingstone, which include feedback from community impact, the types of carriage used for firearms and the guidance for how armed officers are deployed. | "This will include consideration of the areas previously raised by DCC Iain Livingstone, which include feedback from community impact, the types of carriage used for firearms and the guidance for how armed officers are deployed. |
| "A decision is expected in the next few weeks." | "A decision is expected in the next few weeks." |