The Scottish Police Federation said that 750 officers in northern Scotland have been cited since January, yet only 26 gave evidence, with one officer being ordered to attend court 17 times in one month.

The Crown Office is to review the process after it admitted that unnecessary citations were a “waste of resources”.

David Threadgold, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, said: “Police officers understand that attending court is a core part of their business – the consequences for failing can affect their liberty – but their duty to react to the requirements, and the perceived whims of the COPFS, do have an impact, and that is being felt across areas of the service far beyond simply attending court.

“The COPFS is understaffed, overworked and inefficient in its administration. It communicates badly with partners and makes decisions which adversely [affect] police officers and their families without the slightest thought for the consequences.”

A Crown Office spokesman said: “COPFS appreciates that unnecessary citations are a source of personal frustration for officers and a waste of resources. Operating an effective court programme is a challenge for the whole criminal justice system.

“We work with justice sector partners, including Police Scotland, to arrange court business but there are occasional mistakes in citing witnesses. Processes are being reviewed and developed to improve our communication regarding witness citations and countermands, and COPFS is working closely with justice partners to ensure the continued delivery of criminal business through the courts.”

Assistant chief constable Wendy Middleton added: “Police officers currently spend considerable time on court business and can have shifts, leave and rest days disrupted by requests for attendance.

“This is not only costly by removing officers from their local policing areas, but it can have an impact on wellbeing too. Police Scotland’s criminal justice improvement group has been set up to alleviate these pressures by looking at direct measures, the development and delivery of summary case management, redeveloping the standard prosecution reports and more efficient ways of court date scheduling.”