Bigot row demotion
Police Scotland detective forced to drop three ranks following staff probe.. but pals say punishment is excessive
A senior detective at the centre of a religious bigotry row has been demoted to constable after an inquiry.
Detective Chief Inspector Ruth Gil fill an was one of Police Scotland’s most highly rated rising stars at the time of the incident in August 2015.
But after a colleague complained about a sectarian remark , she has lost three ranks and faces a massive financial penalty.
Friends say that she has been “absolutely devastated” by the demotion ruling.
At the time of the incident, mother-of-four Gilfillan was head of Police Scotland’ s human trafficking unit. The 45- year- old law and politics graduate will see her salary plummet from £55,000 a year to £ 38,000. And it means she could lose as much as
£100,000 in
future pension payments when she retires.
The row erupted after one of a group of colleagues in her company had a Celtic birthday cake.
Gilfillan exchanged banter about refusing to eat the detective’s cake.
But she was also accused of making a joke about children being at risk of abuse in Catholic schools.
She was informed of the demotion decision at a disciplinary hearing earlier this month.
Gilfillan refused to comment but a friend said: “She is devastated by the decision and is struggling to come to terms with it. “She understands that what she said was wrong and she is extremely apologetic.
“She wanted to say sorry
in person to her fellow officer at the outset but was advised not to by the people carrying out the investigation.
“Ruth Gil fill an is highly respected as a detective by people she has worked with from all religious backgrounds. She is almost universally popular.
“The remark that she made was wrong but Ruth and the majority of her colleagues believe the punishment was excessive.
“There is also disquiet about the way the investigation was carried out, with the deliberation taking just over an hour.”
Gilfillan initially faced a criminal charge but that was dropped and she did not appear in court.
It is understood the charge against her at the disciplinary hearing was conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
The Scottish Police Federation said yesterday that they plan to appeal the decision by senior officers to demote her.
The row has caused a rift between officers, with many of Gilfillan’s colleagues believing she has been harshly treated.
The col league who made the complaint has been relocated following a backlash from other officers.
Another source said: “It is a really bad case and has caused a real split among a group of officers who were very close.
“The person who made the complaint has suffered as well in career terms.
“It is understandable that a complaint was made. But the feeling is that it could have been handled better.
“Ruth is a big Rangers fan and everyone in the force is aware of this.
“Ruth apologised and was deeply sorry.
“She regularly worked 80 hours a week and was involved in numerous murder inquiries.
“This is an officer who has been dedicated to her job.
“She accepts that what she said was wrong but her punishment is too severe.”
Gilfillan led a team of officers who targeted prostitution and modern- day slavery and has been involved in operations against firms and individuals who are suspected of using smuggled workers.
While at the helm, she changed how the force dea lt w ith people trafficking and made Police Scotland proactively identify victims while targeting organised crime groups.
She also introduced a policy that women working in the sex industry were no longer to be automatically arrested.
She has been ordered out of the el i te Scot t ish Cr ime Campus in Gartcosh, Lanarkshire, and is thought to be performing administrative duties at the f o rc e’s HQ in Gla sgow’s Dalmarnock.
Another source said: “Ruth made a di f ference whi le she was a detective.
“She worked hard and was always willing to learn. Ruth is a tough cop.”
Police Scotland have repeatedly stated their determination to tackle sectarian abuse and offensive behaviour.
A Crown Office spokesman said yesterday: “The procurator fiscal received a report concerning a 43-year-old woman in relation to an alleged incident on August 20, 2015.
“After careful consideration of all of the available evidence, Crown counsel instructed that there was insufficient evidence in law to take criminal proceedings in the case.”
It is understood that after prosecution was ruled out, the Crown Office then referred the case back to senior officers at Police Scotland for possible disciplinary action.
David Kennedy, deputy general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, said yesterday: “The Scottish Police Federation will be appealing the decision on behalf of Constable Ruth Gilfillan.”
It is understood that Gil fill an’ s appeal will be heard by an assistant chief constable within the next 60 days.
If the decision is upheld, she can then take her challenge against the demotion to the police appeals tribunal. Police Scotland said last night: “This matter remains a live internal conduct process and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further.” The allegations against Gilfillan were investigated by the Police Scotland Professional Standards Unit (PSU). They are responsible for probing allegations of misconduct by police officers and support staff. The PSU also investigate complaints made by the public about officers and handle cases where potential criminal behaviour has already been established. Their role is different from that of the controversial former Counter Corruption Unit, now called the AntiCorruption Unit. They investigate allegations against officers and police staff suspected of being involved in criminal behaviour or organised crime. After the allegation of sectarianism was made against Gilfillan, all witnesses to the alleged remarks were interviewed.
This is an officer who was really dedicated to her job. She accepts what she said was wrong but this is too severe