Terror risk in police jobs change, warns Chief Steve House was scathing about the prospect of foreign nationals being allowed to run forces. Mr House told the Holyrood conference on policing yesterday: "We're different in terms of our leadership. You might say, it's protectionism of the worst kind. to whom are they reporting when they get intelligence on terrorism? Or another security service? A new Scottish force will come into being on 1 April. Mr House said it was "absurd" that the Home Office has ruled out mergers, at least to a regional structure, and will continue to have 43 in England and Wales. The conference also heard Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill insist there would continue to be an extra 1,000 officers on the beat, despite police being told to make savings of £1.7 billion over 15 years. Mr House has previously warned the extra officers would be difficult to protect beyond next year in the face of such cuts. "Maintaining officer numbers is an important part of the Scottish Government's pledge to ensure communities stay safe and strong," Mr MacAskill told the conference. The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents was also critical of people being allowed to join police forces in England and Wales at inspector or superintendent rank. "It does a serious disservice to the people who have devoted their lives to the protection of the public and bringing offenders to justice," it said in a statement. The UK government is currently consulting on whether to allow people to join police forces at senior ranks. It would only cover countries that practice "policing by consent," such as Australia and the US. A Home Office spokesman said: By opening up the police to a wider pool of talent, forces will be able to bring in people with diverse backgrounds and new perspectives. We would always expect successful candidates to undergo the appropriate vetting procedures. However, the Scottish Government made clear a similar policy would not be introduced in Scotland. A spokeswoman said: "The recruitment of senior officers in England and Wales is a matter for the Home Office. The Justice Secretary has already made clear that he is not in favour of direct entry recruitment in Scotland as it undermines policing and those who have worked hard to earn promoted posts. We will not introduce direct entry in Scotland and are confident that those officers with the right skills and experience can and will be promoted through.