Scottish officers to verify themselves when working alone

Police officers in Scotland will adopt a verification process when working alone, in response to the murder of Sarah Everard.

From today, officers will proactively offer people they approach to switch their radio to loudspeaker, so that the control room can verify who they are.

The force said outrage over the kidnap, rape and murder of Everard in London prompted the action, after it emerged Wayne Couzens, a serving Metropolitan Police officer, falsely arrested her.

The 48-year-old was handed a whole life sentence at the Old Bailey on Thursday.

Police Scotland said its constables will normally operate in pairs, though there may be rare cases when a lone officer approaches a member of the public.

Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr said: "Public confidence and consent is critical to our legitimacy, and our ability to keep our communities and citizens safe.

"The appalling circumstances of Sarah Everard's murder have deeply affected people and many are now understandably concerned about verifying an officer's identity.

"Police officers will, of course, continue to approach any member of the public who appears distressed or vulnerable, to offer support and assistance.

"However, although it is rare for a lone police officer to have to speak to a member of the public in Scotland, we absolutely recognise our responsibility to introduce an additional means of verification to provide further reassurance to anyone, in particular women who may feel vulnerable, and who might be concerned if they find themselves in this situation.

"The onus is on us, as a police service, to proactively offer this additional verification process to any member of the public who appears distressed, vulnerable or frightened.

"Police officers always carry photographic identification and will be happy to provide further reassurance about who they are and their reason for speaking with someone if requested.''

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