Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Police call handler’s tears after absolute discharge
Admitted supplying cocaine to friends
A police call handler from Airdrie who admitted supplying cocaine to friends left court a free woman last week.
Jodie McKenna was caught when police officers were called to a house party she was attending in Viewpark on an unrelated matter.
The 24-year-old appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court earlier this month, where she admitted supplying the Class A substance to pals in September 2018.
McKenna wept after she was granted an absolute discharge.
Sheriff Moira MacKenzie said: “I’ve read all the reports and the information provided in them and will follow the recommendation of an absolute discharge.”
It means McKenna, who is currently suspended from her duties as a civilian operator with Police Scotland, will not have a criminal record.
However, she could still face losing her job depending on the outcome of police disciplinary proceedings.
A source said: “An absolute discharge is extremely unusual but it was a strange case with a number of different circumstances.
“Even though she will have no criminal record as a result of the sheriff’s decision, she could still find herself out of a job if it is ruled that she has brought the force into disrepute by her actions.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We are aware of the outcome of this case and a report will be made to deputy chief constable for people and professionalism, Fiona Taylor, for consideration of misconduct proceedings.”