Police chief suspended after crime allegations
Assistant chief constable and three others under investigation
A senior figure at Police Scotland and three other officers have been suspended from duty, 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.
One of the most senior officers in Police Scotland, ACC Higgins has responsibility for operational support, custody and criminal justice divisions, a role he was appointed to in September 2016. He joined Strathclyde Police in 1988.
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 SPA has in addition today formally referred misconduct allegations relating to the senior officer to the Pirc
for further investigation having assessed that, if proven, they would constitute gross misconduct.
“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.”
As well as the four people suspended, a further two other officers have also been placed on restricted duties.
It is understood the allegations are not connected to Pirc investigations into claims of misconduct against Chief Constable Phil Gormley. They are also unconnected to inquiries into allegations against officers in the former countercorruption unit.
Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: “I can confirm that Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins was suspended today by the Scottish Police Authority. In addition, three other officers have been suspended, and two others placed on restricted duties, by Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick. This is connection with an investigation by the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner.
“I will be reviewing the command team structure and in the meantime ACC Nelson Telfer will take on responsibility for the Operational Support portfolio in addition to his existing duties.”
Pirc said it was investigating allegations of “criminality against officers”. The allegations were provided anonymously and the commissioner referred them to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).
A Pirc spokesman said: “The SPA referred allegations of gross misconduct about the senior officer to the Pirc and suspended the officer.”
A spokesman for the commissioner said: “Following receipt of anonymous allegations of criminality by officers, including a senior officer, serving with Police Scotland, the commissioner referred the allegations to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
“This was to allow the COPFS to consider whether the criminal allegations should be investigated by the commissioner.
“The COPFS decided that an independent investigation should be carried out by the Pirc and this is now under way.”