Current status: Answered by Angela Constance on 10 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what action it and Police Scotland are taking to increase the funding available to improve the psychological wellbeing of police officers.
Our police officers and staff do a challenging job, often in very distressing circumstances, where health and welfare remain a priority for Police Scotland. I welcome the commitment by the Chief Constable to ensuring her workforce receives the right physical and mental wellbeing support, by working to educate and support officers in managing trauma exposure.
Police Scotland has made a £17 million investment over four years to support the health and wellbeing of the workforce and the Chief Constable confirmed the expansion of support measures, including through the Employee Assistance programme and trauma risk management provision.
The Scottish Government will invest record funding of over £1.7 billion in policing in 2026-27, a total budget increase of £81.5 million or 5% compared to the published 2025-26 Autumn Budget Revision budget. It is for the Scottish Police Authority, working with the Chief Constable, to determine how best to allocate this budget to meet policing priorities, including the wellbeing of officers and staff.