Govan riot cops 'covered in human waste' as chaplain warns of 'tired' officers

Rev. Neil Galbraith, chaplain for the force, has written to Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf ahead of “looming” events – stating that the under-resourced officers are “tired and frustrated, even depressed”.

He references a number of incidents, including a knife attack outside Butterbiggans Road Mosque, the Old Firm match, and Friday night’s violent scenes in Govan – that are stretching offices to breaking point.

Dozens of specialist officers were deployed on the streets during the riots, which occurred when loyalist protesters disrupted an Irish Unity march by the James Connolly Flute Band.

Hundreds of officers were deployed to the Govan riots on Friday

READ MORE: Car belonging to Irish Republican group leader torched in Glasgow's East End

Now, as the council have given the go-ahead for two Irish Republican marches this weekend, Rev. Galbraith has demanded “better resourcing and more officers employed” on our streets.

In an open letter he wrote: “I write…on a matter of deep concern. One shared by you? And many others, which is the excessive demand being placed upon the Officers and Resources of Police Scotland.

“Over the last five days public order officers have had to wear in some cases their same special suits day after day after day, there has not been enough time to have them washed and dried never mind a change of required dresswear (Some were covered in human waste thrown at the officers).

“Officers have stood for hours at crime scenes in pouring rain soaked to the skin, because they did not have the time to collect waterproof clothing.

“Meals have been missed, abuse has been thrown at them in the extreme, and our Force animals have been called into service so much, several are tired and in need of rest”.

It’s thought that similar number of officers will need to be deployed in Glasgow this weekend for the new marches.

Rev. Neil Galbraith has written an open letter to Humza Yousaf

READ MORE: Council allow two Irish republican parades to go ahead after Govan riot

The two marches that were planned for Saturday are the Cairde na hEireann calton Republicans from Millroad Street in Calton to the La Pasionaria monument in Clyde Street leaving at 1.30pm.

The second march was organised by the Friends of Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association to take place from Blythswood Square at 3pm heading to Barrowland Park.

Rev. Galbraith added that the uncertainty of Brexit and the subsequent political social fallout means “many more major issues loom on the horizon”.

He added: I fully appreciate the political leaders of our nation, and the Police Authority, will have the matters fully discussed and will say everything was under control, or is in hand, and legally correct.

“However, take it from the ‘Chaplain’ who stands beside the serving officers, and who over the last twenty-five years has been present or involved in some of the saddest and highest profile events that have had to be faced.

“Our officers are under equipped, require more resources, and are being asked to face too many challenges without the right requirements to undertake the tasks being placed upon them.”

READ MORE: Police warning ahead of fresh Glasgow Irish republican parades

He continued: “I have officers in my pastoral care who are being called upon to go way above and beyond, many are tired and frustrated, even depressed while carrying also the concerns of their families fears for them into to their daily duties, these are welfare concerns and have to be taken as a matter of importance.

“We have the best police force in the UK, we have great officers and a special bond that makes them face every challenge with a sense of teamwork.

We have first class leadership and wise heads at the top of the house. But as this weekend has shown, and the months to come will sadly prove, we need better resourcing and more officers employed.”

The chaplain invited politicians to “see for themselves” the challenges being placed upon the force, adding that “the sectarian issue is only one nightmare being faced, there are many more.”

He ended his letter stating: “We cannot keep going to the well, and demanding more, without replacing and improving what we are taking out, and just now we are taking too much and the resource is being drained.

“The challenges are great, and the force is second to none, but there comes a time, when somebody has got to protect and care for the police, as Chaplain, and not in receipt of a Police income and also a private citizen, I choose to be one of those voices.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Attacks like this against the police are utterly despicable and there are extensive powers to deal robustly with those indulging in such appalling actions, including imprisonment.

“Provision of uniform is a matter for the Chief Constable.

"However, total Scottish Government funding for the SPA in 2019-20 has increased by £42.3 million meaning the annual policing budget is now over £1.2 billion, including an additional £12 million for capital expenditure.”