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More than 1700 cops have quit Police Scotland in the last two years according to shock new figures. Details of the massive brain drain - released by Police Scotland under Freedom of Information (FOI) - show that 1747 officers of all ranks left between July 2023 and July 2025. Yesterday the Scottish Police Federation - the organisation that represents rank and file officers - said mounting workloads, stress levels, and low pay were forcing cops out the door, They are also taking advantage of new pension rules which enable them to retire early. At present Police Scotland has 16,427 officers, 1200 less than when the force was formed in 2013. Officers are quitting at a rate of more than 16 every week. The FOI figures show 717 officers have taken early retirement since 2023 with 225 leaving for other jobs, 117 retiring on medical grounds and 75 transferring to other forces. Fifteen were sacked and ten died from natural causes. A further 286 left citing "personal reasons" with 19 leaving before they had completed their basic training and eleven quitting to go back to college or university. David Kennedy, General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation , said: "The figures don't surprise me and I think more and more people will be leaving. Officers are ending up with anxiety and depression and disruption in their personal life "They are then saying I'm not prepared to put up with this and they leave. They are taking early retirement because they are burnt out and they have had enough. "They also don't feel they are appreciated in their job. They are getting an opportunity to go and they are saying - I'm away." Earlier this month Chief Constable Jo Farrell appealed to the Scottish Government for an extra £138.6million to recruit 850 officers and 350 staff. Five percent of the current force are expected to retire next year. Mr Kennedy added: "The question is why are people not willing to stay. We are losing all this experience, it is a real concern." Scottish Labour justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said: "Too many police officers are disillusioned and therefore leaving for other jobs or retirement. “The SNP have failed Scotland’s communities and police officers by allowing Police Scotland to shrink when the force is already at breaking point forcing officers and staff to go above and beyond to paper over the cracks." Scottish Conservative shadow minister for community safety Sharon Dowey added: “These figures must act as an urgent wake-up call to ministers who need to do more to tackle the recruitment and retention crisis facing Police Scotland. “It is hardly surprising many officers are now opting for early retirement given cutbacks mean they’re forced to do more with less, in crumbling police stations." Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur said: “Police officers are facing unrelenting pressures, forcing many to head for the door. That downward trend is putting communities at greater risk, while leaving the officers who remain stretched dangerously thin." In August the Daily Record revealed how one in six cops can't carry out frontline duties because they are off sick or on restricted duties - up eight per cent on 2023 figures. While assaults on officers including spitting, kicking, and stabbing rose by 35 percent between 2023 and 2024 Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: "Officers and staff work hard to deliver for communities and keep people safe in the face of changing threats and the rapidly intensifying operational environment is placing our workforce under pressure. "As with other organisations we have natural turnover driven largely by retirements, however we have a strong pipeline of applications for recruitment. "We remain in discussion with the Scottish Police Authority and Scottish Government about funding allocations for 2026-27, which have a direct impact on our recruitment plans." Two years ago it was revealed how police officers were quitting to become train drivers citing better pay and pension. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "We are investing a record £1.64 billion in policing this year, an increase of almost £90 million from 2024-25. Our funding has enabled Police Scotland to take on more recruits in 2024-25 than at any time since 2013, with further intakes planned throughout 2025-26." The starting salary for a Police Scotland Constable is currently £32,725 rising to £35,608 after the first year. Following 11 years service the salary increases to £52,549 for Constables. Traditionally cops have been able to retire after 30 years on half salary plus a one off tax free lump sum - currently around £120,000 for Constables. Recent changes in the pension rules meant officers at all ranks could retire after 25 years as they were now able to access their lump sum for the first time. However the total amounts paid out are less than if they had completed 30 years service. A newer pension scheme now requires cops to serve 35 years before they can access their full benefits. All Police Scotland officers regardless of rank must pay 13.7 percent of their monthly salary into their pension scheme. David Kennedy added:" When cops take early retirement most are still going to have to go out and find another job."
