A STAFFING crisis could leave cops struggling to cover a visit by Donald Trump, union chiefs claim.
And the Scottish Police Federation warned last night: “We don’t have enough officers to work an Old Firm match never mind events involving the US President.”
Trump is expected visit later this year.[/caption]
David Kennedy, SPF’s general secretary, said the expected visit later this year “could be one of the largest operations Police Scotland has had to deal with”.
The King is set to host Trump at Balmoral to discuss a State visit as he opens a new golf course at Menie, Aberdeenshire.
Mr Kennedy said: “The rank and file will be forced to cancel rest days and annual leave for something of this scale.
“And it might be months before they get the time back.
“It would be ideal to have enough officers to police these events without affecting work-life balance.”
The force has around 16,500 full-time officers — below the “minimum” target of 17,234 set in 2007 then abandoned.
But bosses have said a budget black hole could force them into redundancies that would plunge numbers below 15,000 by next year.
A four-day UK visit in 2018 by President Trump cost around £18million to police.
There were protests across Scotland, including a march in Edinburgh that attracted 10,000 demonstrators.
Trump Turnberry golf resort, in Ayrshire, was vandalised earlier this month.
Police Scotland was approached for comment.
