Top officer and three others all suspended from duty

A senior officer at Police Scotland and three others have been suspended from their duties, according to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA).

Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins was suspended yesterday by the SPA after “a number of criminal and misconduct allegations”.

The SPA board said it took the decision after the allegations were brought to its attention by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc).

The authority can suspend a senior officer on the condition that an effective criminal or misconduct investigation may be prejudiced, or if the allegations would make suspension in the public interest.

In a statement, a spokesman for the SPA said: “Having considered the views of the Pirc, the authority has concluded that both these conditions were satisfied and have taken the necessary steps this afternoon to suspend him from the office of constable.

“The suspension is effective with immediate effect and will be reviewed in four weeks, or if there is a change in circumstances relevant to the suspension.”

Mr Higgins joined Strathclyde Police in 1988.

He became divisional commander in charge of Glasgow Central and West Division in 2010 and assistant chief constable of Police Scotland three years later.

As well as the four suspensions, a further two other officers have also been placed on restricted duties.