Officers' pay increases will be backdated to September

But those representing officers said the deal meant pay levels were falling in real terms at a time when demands on the police were rising.

The Police Arbitration Tribunal said the increase would be backdated to 1 September this year.

The Police Staff Associations in Scotland said it was unhappy that unique restrictions and demands on officers had not been recognised.

In a joint statement, the associations - which bring together the Scottish Police Federation, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland - accepted the tribunal's findings and called on the cabinet secretary to ratify the pay award with immediate effect.

"We recognise the pay machinery process has been followed but remain unhappy that the official side and government have failed to recognise that the pay of officers is now falling in real terms and fails to recognise the unique restrictions and demands on police officers, particularly in today's climate of crime and terrorism.