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History of the Federation
'You have five minutes to consider your withdrawal from the Union. Either withdraw now or tender your resignation from the Service'
With remarks such as these, directed at police officers who had been active participants in the National Union of Police and Prison Officers throughout the length and breadth of Scotland, the Police Federation was born.
The birth was recorded by the introduction of the Police Act, 1919, which stated:- 'For the purposes of enabling the members of the Police Forces to consider and bring to the notice of the police authorities and the Secretary of State all matters affecting their welfare and efficiency … there shall be established in accordance with the Schedule to this Act an organisation to be called the Police Federation, which shall act through local and central representative bodies as provided in that schedule.'
Over three quarters of a century later, the 1919 Act still applies and forms the basis of the Scottish Police Federation's raison d' etre.
NORMAN MORRISON
The founding father figure of the Scottish Police Federation, Norman Morrison, was a native of this Force area whose story makes fascinating reading.
Born in Shawbost on the Isle of Lewis and one of a family of nine, he had little or no formal education yet became a Doctor of Science and Fellow of the Zoological Society of Scotland. He joined the City of Glasgow Police when he was 19 years old, then served in the Argyll County Police for 30 years cramming more than the normal lifetime of experience with dedicated service to the community and the police.
When his Chief Constable issued the ultimatum which starts this section, Norman Morrison, a man of deep principal responded, 'Very well, sir. I shall leave the service.' The residents of the West Highland town of Oban championed his cause and, albeit he later faced demands from a vindictive chief constable that he retire on spurious medical grounds, he completed his Police Service with distinction having become Chairman of the first Annual Conference for Sergeants and a member of the first Scottish Police Council.
His retirement was marked by a national presentation from the Scottish Police to which every force, with only one exception, 'subscribed handsomely',
The Scottish Police Federation recognised Norman Morison's contribution to present day officers by the creation of Norman Morison Memorial Fund Bursary for natives of the Island of Lewis attending the University of Glasgow and with a dedicated plaque also in place at Shawbost Primary school.
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