As Tayside Police’s legal team continued to sift through the 54-page judgment today to see whether they will appeal the decision, board convener Councillor Colin Young said the force is in “limbo”.

The hearing heard PC Fisher was threatened with dismissal when he raised health and safety concerns about solo patrols.

He has served for 10 years and plans to continue as a police officer.

Councillor Young, from Perth and Kinross, said he will meet Chief Constable John Vine in the near future to discuss the case.

He told the Tele, “Initially, this lengthy document will have to be taken apart very carefully.

“Legal officers and considering whether or not to appeal the decision, which is possible.

“We are in a state of limbo at the moment.

“I am disappointed that the argument of Tayside Police has not been accepted.

“No other officers seem to have health and safety concerns relating to solo patrols. It has proved extremely positive in areas where it’s been carried out.”

Sergeant Malcolm Gibbs, secretary of the Scottish Police Federation Tayside branch, who gave evidence at the tribunal, said today he was pleased for PC Fisher.

He said, “I am delighted for PC Fisher that this matter has finally concluded.

“I know it has taken a considerable toll on him personally and also on his close family.

“I have only just received a copy of the full judgment and until I can read and digest that fully I cannot comment further other than to say that I am pleased that the actions of PC Fisher have been vindicated.”

Meanwhile, Tayside Police stressed nothing in the judgment will affect the style of policing adopted by the force.

Deputy Chief Constable Willie Bald said, “We are very clear that nothing in the judgment affects the style of policing or the continued importance of high-visibility patrolling.”

The force can only lodge an appeal under a point of law and they have six weeks to decide whether to make such an application.

In a statement released through his solicitors Lawson, Coull & Duncan, PC Fisher said, “My family and I are delighted and relieved at the decision, which completely vindicates the position I adopted from the outset.

“My only intention was to safeguard the health and safety of Tayside police officers.

“Unfortunately, Tayside Police did not share that sentiment and did all they could to force me to back down.

“I was left with no alternative but to raise employment tribunal proceedings, something which I did not do lightly.

“I have now been successful now in three sets of employment tribunal proceedings and hope the latest decision brings these proceedings to a close.”

The tribunal in Dundee heard PC Fisher produced a petition, signed by almost 70 officers, which criticised single manning.

He argued that an inspector refused to recommend him for promotion to sergeant on the grounds of the stance he had taken.

The tribunal also heard PC Fisher claimed to have suffered “two-and-a-half years of bullying and threats” and his career was now effectively finished.

It heard an inspector comment that PC Fisher “exercised poor judgment and was extremely unprofessional” and he said it “wasn’t the only incident where he (Fisher) had shown he was dogmatic and single-minded”.