Police have been ordered not to finish off the sentences of people with a stutter to prevent them appearing politically incorrect. Officers have been given a new "diversity handbook" advising them how to avoid offensive faux pas when dealing with members of the public.
Other nuggets of wisdom contained in the 140-page guide include not moving people's walking sticks or leaning on people's wheelchairs.
The booklet even reminds officers that it is legal for members of the public "to wear clothing and accessories of any gender in public so long as their genitals are covered". When dealing with people who can only communicate through sign language, police are advised not to use their handcuffs "inappropriately".
It also tells officers not to "chew gum, eat sweets, shout, turn away or cover their mouths" when communicating with the deaf.
The pocket-sized handbook has been compiled by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and distributed to all Scottish forces at a cost of £4,500.
However, it has been criticised both from within the service and from campaign groups for being too long-winded and overly politically correct. Calum Steele, of the Scottish Police Federation, warned: "The guidance is too long and is probably an easy target for the anti- political correctness brigade."
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