Senior officers in Scotland have refused to back Police Scotland's annual staff survey, arguing it fails to reveal genuine confidence levels in the force's leadership. The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS) withdrew its backing because responses about local managers are grouped together with views on chief officers and the executive team, which it says risks masking dissatisfaction with senior leaders and blocking proper scrutiny. The move highlights a deepening rift at the top of the force, with sources describing infighting among senior ranks as "Game of Thrones on steroids" amid wider concerns over morale and resources.

While individual ASPS members remain free to complete the survey, the association itself has effectively disowned it, with president Rob Hay confirming ASPS "is not supporting this year's" exercise. Police Scotland has defended the survey's methodology, telling ASPS that consistency is needed to track trends over time, and a force spokesman said the survey remains open with officers and staff encouraged to take part. The dispute adds to a difficult period for Chief Constable Jo Farrell, who has faced a string of challenges in recent months.