Suspended officer at centre of probe into cover-up of a theft
THE senior police officer suspended over criminal allegations is accused of covering up a theft – and the unauthorised discharge of a firearm.
Assistant Chief Constable Bernie Higgins is in charge of armed policing and the response to the terror threat.
But on Friday he was suspended by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) over ‘criminal and misconduct allegations’.
Three other officers – including Superintendent Kirk Kinnell and Chief Inspector Bob Glass – were also suspended, and two others placed on ‘restricted duties’.
The Mail can reveal Mr Higgins faces a series of allegations, some made anonymously, including that he conspired with one of the other suspended officers to ‘bury’ an allegation of theft made against another officer – which could be seen as an attempt to pervert the course of justice.
He is also accused of discharging firearms without proper authority at Jackton, East Kilbride – Police Scotland’s firing range – which could be a criminal offence.
The allegations that would be treated as ‘misconduct’ include a claim that Mr Higgins abused his position to remove the shotgun licence of a man being investigated for domes had tic abuse. There are also claims he used his position to remove the temporary rank of another officer, and used inappropriate language – a charge also levelled at Mr Kinnell, head of the firearms unit, who is weeks from retirement.
Friends of Mr Higgins say he is adamant he has done nothing wrong. Sources close to him said that, when being informed of his suspension, he asked why he was not being placed on ‘special leave’ like Chief Constable Phil Gormley, who is accused of bullying.
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents rankand-file officers, said: ‘Members rightly ask what it is that allows some to be granted leave while under investigation but for that same opportunity not to be extended to them.’ A senior source said: ‘Bernie is a good guy, a committed officer.
‘During this spell without the chief at the helm, the force has actually been stabilised by the deputy [Iain Livingstone]... morale was noticeably higher.
‘This action has depleted the executive team further and you have to wonder what the rush was for the SPA’s outgoing chairman Andrew Flanagan [who quit over allegations he was a bully].
‘On December 4, Professor Susan Deacon takes over as chairman and immediately walks in on the wreckage... would it not have been better to let her take office, brief her on the allegations and any intelligence gathered and let her decide how to proceed?’
Asked why Mr Higgins and Mr Gormley were treated differently, an SPA spokesman said: ‘You can’t compare the two situations as the allegations against the ACC include claims of misconduct and criminal conduct.
‘[Mr Gormley] was not given “special leave” as there is no such thing. He requested a leave of absence while the allegations were investigated. There is a further difference in that the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner been directed to investigate on behalf of the Crown.’
Neither Police Scotland nor the SPA would comment on the content of the allegations.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson yesterday confirmed the identities of the officers involved in the probe on the BBC’s Sunday Politics Scotland TV programme.
He said the matter related to ‘misconduct and gross misconduct’, adding: ‘The exact detail of that is for the Crown to determine because it is now a live, potentially criminal, investigation.’
Mr Higgins’s spokesman, Callum Anderson, of Levy & McRae Solicitors, declined to comment.
Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone tweeted last night that he would look to ‘bolster [the] senior team next week’.
Nicola Marchant, deputy chairman of the SPA, which will meet tomorrow, said: ‘Working together with Police Scotland, we will address those immediate challenges and stay focused on the vital work under way to keep improving the service.’
‘Walking in on the wreckage’