Dozens of police officers were paid to take part in a Pride parade through Scotland’s biggest city despite the force slashing resources and cutting back on fighting crime.
Last week it was revealed that uniformed officers were being urged to represent the overstretched force at the LGBTI event in exchange for either pay or a day off in lieu.
While their colleagues were on duty at the parade to ensure order was maintained, police chiefs requested that other officers join in to show support for the marchers.
The event was deemed a ‘community engagement opportunity’, with top brass declaring officers could attend on full pay as a result.
Around 25 uniformed officers took part in the march through Glasgow, wearing special LGBT rainbow epaulettes, and flanked by a marked car and van draped in Pride flags.
The group, which included some senior officers, would have accrued around £5,000 in wage costs.
The move comes after Police Scotland abandoned investigating some minor crimes as it battles a financial black hole which has seen officer numbers plummet to their lowest level for 16 years.
David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents officers up to and including the rank of Chief Inspector, said: ‘We are fully supportive of Pride.
