Fury at stalker cop still picking up full pay.. after 13 months
Officer’s career was expected to end after conviction for harassing ex-lover
A POLICE officer who admitted ed serious domestic abuse charges s is still in the force and on full ll pay – more than a year after r his conviction.
Andrew Caulfield, 47, pled guiltyy to harassing colleague and ex-loverr PC Amanda Watson for nine monthss after they split up and defied a previous court order to stay away from the 35-year-old.
But despite a court being told he would be sacked, Caulfield, who is a cyber- crime specialist, is still picking up his £45,000-a-year salary 13 months later.
Police Scotland have been accused of
probe allowing a Force convicted abuser to continue to take
ff money from the ng
op public purse.
Scottish Conservative shadow justicee secretary, Russelll Findlay MSP, said:d: “Ha v i n g been subjected to criminalal conduct by a Policece
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corona female officer deservesves trauma to have the matterter resolved as quickly and transparently as possible.”ible.”
At Dundee Sheriferifff Court last April, Sheriffheriff Jillian Ma r t i n - Brown admonished Caulfield and imposed a two-year harrassment order.
An admonishment means the conviction is recorded but no penalties are handed out.
His lawyer Kris Gilmartin told the court the conviction would spell the end of the officer’s career. He added: “He will lose his employment following today’s hearing.”
Police Scotland confirmed the suspension and that Caulfield remained on the force awaiting a disciplinary hearing into his conduct.
A spokeswoman said: “Disciplinary processes can be complex and timescales vary significantly.
“A police officer will remain suspended until the suspension conditions are no longer satisfied and the suspension lifted, or they leave the organisation.
“Police Scotland fully
faces Shamed cop month 9- sack over of abuse campaign
on oFFicer
investigatesinves all reports of violencevi against womenwom and girls irrespectiveirres of who the perpetratorp is. “WeW are committed to continuing to workwo with our partnersner and support the rightrigh of women and girlsgirl to feel safe.” Caulfield had admittedad engaging in a course of abusive behaviourb towards Constable Watson and acting in a coercive and controlling manner.
The officer had originally faced a charge of abusing the PC for two years, including striking her with a door, grabbing her and trying to pull her off a bed. Caulfield’s guilty plea to reduced charges was accepted ahead of a trial in February last year.
He acknowledged he had refused to recognise the relationship was over and that he repeatedly phoned, texted and emailed PC Watson.
He further admitted that he repeatedly turned up at her home, put cards through her door and warned a male friend to stop contacting her. Caulfield also pleaded guilty to a second charge of breaching a court order imposed in July 2020 that required him to stay away from his victim.
Sheriff Martin-Brown imposed the non- harassment order after being told PC Watson wanted continued protection from Caulfield. A spokeswoman for the charity Action Against Stalking said: “We believe that employees have the right to feel safe in their workplace without being victim to harassment and stalking by clients and/or colleagues.
“It is vital employers have policies in place to ensure any member of staff that is being victimised has the relevant support, and protocols are followed to ensure staff safety.”