Doubt surrounds the future of community policing in the region amid reports it could be scaled back under a major operational review.
Police Scotland is looking at where it can best allocate resources – with area cop teams a possible target in the shake-up.
According to sources within the force, some community officers are already in the process of being redeployed.
Dumfries and Galloway Police Division chief superintendent Carol McGuire refuted that claim, but confirmed a review was ongoing.
She told the News: “Resourcing across Scotland faces challenges and the chief constable has been clear that difficult decisions lie ahead.
“The resourcing picture in Dumfries and Galloway Division is subject to regular review in an effort to ensure that our frontline resources are able to respond to ever-changing demand.
“No changes have been made at present to our existing operational policing model.
“However, a review is being carried out to ensure our policing response is effective and continues to best meet the needs of our communities.”
Dee and Glenkens councillor Dougie Campbell, a former senior Strathclyde police officer and chairman of the council’s police, fire and rescue committee until last year, is concerned.
He said: “I’ve been advised that a proportion of community police officers are being temporarily withdrawn and redeployed to frontline policing.
“Having led community police teams myself as a senior police officer, I’m acutely aware of the vital and visible role these officers play in serving rural communities such as Dalry and Auchencairn. If this goes I worry that it will never come back.
“I’m seeking further reassurance as to when full community policing will be reinstated so that we can all continue to benefit from the security and reassurance our community officers
provide.”
He added: “Community officers engage with local elected members and work with other agencies such as schools and social services to resolve ongoing issues and concerns such as antisocial behaviour.
“A good community cop knows everything that is going on in his or her community.
“And that is something really important in terms of keeping people safe and nipping things in the bud.”
Current police, fire and rescue committee chairman Ian Blake, also former police officer of 30 years standing, said: “I only found about this from a member of the public raising concerns about the withdrawal of community policing.
“I had no communication from the police up to that time.
“We’re told it’s a temporary measure although they are going to review things, which looks quite ominous.”
He added: “I am concerned at the lack of consultation.
“I am not saying we could influence things much but at least we would know about it. We seem to be an afterthought.”
The News understands from police sources that four PCs and one sergeant are allocated to the Stewartry Community Policing Team.
The police, fire and rescue committee will discuss the issue at its next meeting on June 15.
