REVEALED HIGGINS FILES
Police rejected crime claims about suspended chief last year Crisis sparked by spurned gamekeeper who lost his guns Quiz over swear words and rucksack are branded a joke
Police chief Bernie Higgins was suspended over a complaint which was dismissed more than a year ago following a top- level internal affairs probe.
A Sunday Mail investigation today reveals the full astonishing details of the multi- pronged complaint against him.
We can reveal that Higgins asked Scottish Police Authority bosses for the same special leave granted to Chief Constable Phil Gormley as he fights five bullying claims – but was turned down.
Incredibly, two of the claims facing Assistant Chief Constable Higgins are that he swore at work and failed to discipline a col league for using a police rucksack in his leisure time.
An initial version of the complaint was first raised in summer last year.
It followed the spurned ex of a police colleague of Higgins having his firearms licence revoked after a conviction for domestic assault.
The new complaint alleges that gamekeeper James Miller’s ex, Sergeant Cat Gibbons, had inappropriate relationships with two other senior officers from the force’s Firearms Unit – Chief Inspector Bob Glass and Super intendent Kirk Kinnell.
It claims Higgins wrongly used his inf- luence to remove Miller’s guns and illegally discharged a weapon at the force’s Jackton firing range near East Kilbride, as well as the swearing and rucksack issues.
Sources close to Higgins believe the complaint – made anonymously to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner – was malicious.
They say Higgins should not have been suspended and a quick check would have proved most of the claims are untrue.
Instead, PIRC have allowed it to be passed to the Crown Office with Higgins, Kinnell, Glass and Gibbons all suspended.
The Crown, in turn, have asked PIRC to conduct their own investigation.
But we can reveal a version of events was first put together last summer and investigated by Nelson Telfer, now an assistant chief constable.
The resultant report, which cleared Higgins of any serious wrongdoing, was signed off by Deputy Chief Constable Johnny Gwynne.
A new version, which also claims Higgins colluded to shut down the CCU investigation, was made anonymously to the PIRC within the last fortnight. A source with knowledge of the situation said: “The entire complaint has at its roots the relationship break-up of gamekeeper James Miller and Gibbons, who worked in the force.
“Miller was convicted of a domestic offence at Paisley Sheriff Court and lost his gun licence.
“Gibbons left him and began a new relationship with a fellow of f icer, Bob Glass. Shortly afterwards, a complaint was made to the police. It accused Higgins of illegally discharging a weapon at the firing range.
“It went on to state that officers had used a police rucksack in their personal time, which amounted to theft. It said Higgins had covered this up and that it constituted an attempt to pervert the course of justice.
“It would be laughable if it wasn’t so serious.
“Bernie has been to the firing range on about four or f ive occasions in his long police career. Each time it was for a specific policing purpose.
“In any case, there is a section of the Firearms Act which gives an exemption to serving officers even if they are not authorised firearms officers.
“There was a ful l CCU investigation conducted by Nelson Telfer, then a detective chief superintendent and now an assistant chief constable.
“It recommended counselling for another officer involved in managing pol ice rucksacks but found that there was no criminality or misconduct by Bernie Higgins. It was signed off by Johnny Gwynne.
“If the PIRC had bothered to check this and the original CCU investigation, they would know that. Instead, an assistant chief constable has had his reputation tarnished as he awaits the outcome of a new complaint, much of which has already been the subject of an internal investigation.
“Now, he is also accused of inf luencing a decision for the gamekeeper husband of a colleague to lose his firearms licence.
“Again, this is completely without merit. When the man was convicted of a domestic offence, a red f lag would have appeared and the removal of his l icence would have been a formality. The decision would be taken completely outwith his area of responsibility.”
Higgins had assumed the
matter was closed after the conclusion of the initial investigation last year. But he learned eight days ago that a new version of the complaint had been made to the PIRC.
This time, the complainer alleged that Higgins had colluded to have the original internal investigation shut down and that he removed temporary ranks from officers he had blamed for the complaint.
It alleged he influenced the removal of the gamekeeper’s guns and also raised a fresh allegation – that Higgins swore while at work but without a single date, time or incident cited. It also claimed that Gibbons had inappropriate relationships with Glass and Kinnell.
The same source added: “PIRC have been very quick to refer this to the Crown but there is so little detail that we find this surprising.
“Higgins faces claims he used ‘ industrial language’ on the job but no details have been provided.
“It looks like someone has just thrown a lot of mud at a lot of people and hope some sticks.”
Higgins asked the Scottish Police Authority if he could be given special leave during the new investigation. It’s understood this request was turned down. He declined to comment.
When the complaint was first revealed, his spokesman said: “ACC Higgins denies and rejects any allegations of wrongdoing. He will fully cooperate wit h t he investigation.
“He intends to resume his duties as soon as this matter has been resolved.”
PIRC said: “We received written information alleging criminal behaviour by officers serving with Police Scotland.
“The allegations were passed to COPFS, who are responsible for the investigating of alleged criminal behaviour by police officers. “After considering the allegations, COPFS directed the PIRC to conduct an investigation into the circumstances. “As this is a live investigation, it is inappropriate to comment further.” The Crown Office said: “The allegations were carefully assessed and discussed with the PIRC before the investigation was instructed. “A thorough, independent criminal investigation is now under way. “That investigation will be undertaken by the PIRC under the direction of the Crown. As such it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this time.” The Scottish Police Authority said: “Our policy is not to comment on complaints while they are ongoing.” The Scottish Police Federation declined to comment. Miller – speaking at his home in Neilston, Renfrewshire – said: “I don’t want to say anything as this is still ongoing. The police have already started to twist it.”