SCANDAL OF POLICE SEX COMPLAINTS
More than 100 cases of misconduct raised against officers in Scotland in three years
MORE than a hundred complaints of sexual misconduct have been raised against Scotland’s police officers over the past three years.
Police Scotland logged 118 reports of indecency, harassment and inappropriate behaviour by officers and staff. figures obtained under the freedom of Information Act revealed more than half the complaints were classed as criminal offences.
Lily Greenan, deputy director of Zero Tolerance, which campaigns against sexual violence, said: ‘The levels reported here are very concerning. Incidents of sexual misconduct in the workplace are completely unacceptable.
‘Women have a right to go to work without fear of violence. It is especially worrying this behaviour exists within organisations women would report these sorts of crimes to.’
There were 115 cases of sexual misconduct among police officers and three among civilian staff.
They included 64 ‘crimes of indecency’ reported among police officers; 17 in 2016-17, 21 in 2017-18 and 26 in 2018-19.
Crimes of indecency include indecent assaults and public indecency. Officers accused of such behaviour
are dealt with through the criminal process.
Cases assessed not to be of a criminal nature but ‘below the standards required of police officers’ – for example, inappropriate behaviour – are dealt with via the Police Scotland conduct process. There were 51 such cases among officers.
The figures do not reveal the identities of the victims or say if they were colleagues or members of the public. Each allegation is counted as a separate case, so the total number of police officers involved has not been made available.
Police Scotland said three cases involving staff were ‘non-physical offences’. One staff member was given a written warning and two others resigned.
Scottish Tory equalities spokesman Annie Wells said: ‘All public bodies must have appropriate procedures for the deterrence, reporting and prosecuting of these crimes.
‘As the police are charged with investigating these crimes, it is even more important that they are seen to be above reproach regarding their own procedures and the support they offer to victims.’
Police officers found guilty of sex crimes include James Paul of Bishopton, Renfrewshire, a former constable who worked with a unit dealing with child sex abuse.
The 39-year-old father-of-two was caught with child pornography in his home and was last year ordered to complete 100 hours of community service.
Greg Jamieson, 34, of Broughty Ferry, Dundee, quit and was given community service last year after being convicted of touching a female colleague’s breast.
Chief Superintendent Andy McDowall said: ‘The vast majority of officers and staff conduct themselves to the high standards expected of them.
‘It is essential the public have trust and confidence in the police and where inappropriate conduct is brought to our attention it is taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.’