Officers in Emma case face conduct inquiry
SEVEN serving police officers are under investigation for gross misconduct in connection with a murder inquiry.
The officers – ex-members of the Counter-Corruption Unit (CCU) now working elsewhere in Police Scotland – have been placed on restricted duties.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is carrying out the probe and the seven could face dismissal if gross misconduct is confirmed, Holyrood’s justice subcommittee on policing was told.
The inquiry began after a review by the Interception of Communications Commissioner’s Office (IOCCO), carried out in response to fears that police had been ‘illegally spying on journalists’.
The IOCCO found Police Scotland breached guidelines on accessing data in a row linked to journalists’ sources regarding the investigation into the murder of Emma Caldwell in 2005.
The 27-year-old had been working as a prostitute when her body was found in woods near Roberton, Lanarkshire, and the case remains unsolved.
Complaints were lodged by two serving and two retired officers regarding the data breach.
After the IOCCO ruling, Durham Constabulary was appointed to carry out an independent review and when the allegations of misconduct regarding the seven officers were uncovered, PSNI was asked to investigate these.
Giving evidence to the Holyrood committee, Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Alan Speirs said: ‘None of the officers are under suspension... the officers who are subject to this investigation at this time are subject to a number of duty restrictions.’
He added: ‘These officers previously had a role within the Counter-Corruption Unit – their current roles are within a different area.’
Mr Speirs said no allegations of
‘None of them are suspended’
criminality arose during the Durham inquiry.
MSPs also heard that Northumbria Constabulary is carrying out a review of investigations into complaints against CCU staff between 2009 and 2016. Mr Speirs said there were up to 24 complaints with 96 separate allegations, which are ‘largely historical’ and from officers and former officers.
He said he hoped the report from Durham Constabulary, PSNI and Northumbria Constabulary would be published by Christmas, with personal information redacted.
Miss Caldwell’s family released a statement through their lawyer, Aamer Anwar. It said: ‘Emma’s family have always felt a deep sense of betrayal at the hands of the first police inquiry team.
‘Sadly, the CCU always appeared more interested in chasing journalists and law-abiding officers than those who let Emma’s killer escape justice.
‘However, the first priority for Emma’s family remains the new murder inquiry.’
Mr Anwar called for the CCU, reorganised last year as the AntiCorruption Unit, to be disbanded and ‘held to account’.
Police are re-investigating the murder of Miss Caldwell after being asked to do so by the Crown Office in 2015.
Officers revealed in April they were searching near where her body was found, and are looking into a potential new sighting of her on the day she disappeared.