Blood test call for police attackers

Fear of infection can cause stress for officers

People who assault Scottish police officers should be forced to undergo a blood test, it is being demanded.

The call has come from the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which says the move would help reduce the "mental and psychological trauma" which can be experienced by officers after an attack.

The staff association, which has lodged a petition at Holyrood, is urging the Scottish Parliament to introduce the compulsory test.

The petition will be considered by MSPs

Its submissions are due to be considered by the parliament's petitions committee on Tuesday.

The SPF says its members are at a "special and increasing risk" when dealing with criminals and drug addicts infected with blood borne infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.

"Apart from the obvious serious physical danger this represents to police officers and their families, the psychological damage to officers who have been exposed or potentially exposed to this threat often has devastating results for both them and their families," said general secretary Douglas Keil.

In his submission to the committee, he estimated that more than 150 officers a year were affected by such incidents.

Side-effects

He said that in some cases officers had retired on medical grounds due to the stress caused by wondering whether they had been infected.

Mr Keil said that undergoing a test could place officers at a disadvantage when it came to completing insurance forms and other commercial declarations.

There were often unpleasant side-effects to the vaccinations and other drug treatments available, he pointed out.

Ministers regard the safety of police officers as of the highest importance, and will keep in close touch with developments

Scottish Executive spokeswoman

And he added: "Even negative tests on accused persons will be of great value in reducing the mental and psychological trauma to which officers are subjected.

"The results of such tests would also be of evidential value in determining whether accused persons had knowledge of their condition when deliberately biting or spitting at police officers or any other victim."

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said the justice department was aware of the petition from the SPF, which represents 98% of police officers.

"Ministers regard the safety of police officers as of the highest importance, and will keep in close touch with developments," she said.