Police Scotland's chief constable has revealed that 11 officers convicted of crimes, including eight who have been violent towards women and girls, are still being paid, describing the situation as 'intolerable'. Justice Secretary Neil Gray said regulations have been introduced to allow the force to act quicker in cases where there are convictions.
In a letter to the Scottish Parliament's justice committee, Chief Constable Jo Farrell said the existing process in cases of proven criminality had taken too long because of 'sub-optimal regulations'. She said this could leave individuals who ultimately have no place in policing within the organisation longer than they should be. She said there were other cases where 'incontrovertible evidence' against officers could not be fast-tracked for dismissal under current arrangements. Farrell also said the 80 officers currently suspended cost the taxpayer approximately £4.5m a year, a situation she blamed on 'sluggish conduct arrangements' and the time required for cases to go through courts.
She said the proposals under consideration would 'modernise the police conduct regime, to accelerate hearings for the most serious cases and enhance transparency of outcomes'. 'I strongly support the focus on treating witnesses and complainers in a trauma-informed way,' she added.
Justice Secretary Neil Gray said the chief constable was right that cases involving officers convicted of serious offences should be dealt with more quickly. 'This is why we have introduced regulations to Parliament that will allow Police Scotland to act quicker in cases where there are convictions,' he said. He said the regulations were aimed at improving transparency and strengthening support for victims and witnesses while retaining appropriate safeguards.
The letter was sent ahead of a meeting of the committee this week. The committee will discuss options to allow Police Scotland to act quicker in cases where there are convictions.
Last month, Farrell said that between 300 and 400 officers had been re-vetted as part of new rules following the murder of Sarah Everard by Met Police officer Wayne Couzens. It also emerged last month that 45 serving officers are currently suspended over allegations of violence against women and girls. Previously, a number of police officers had been exposed as rapists, including Derek McNee, Campbell Petrie, Carmichael John Williamson and Cameron Ross, who had all been convicted and were no longer on the payroll.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The presence of convicted officers on the payroll undermines public trust in policing.
- The £4.5m annual cost of suspended officers is a significant burden on taxpayers.
- Proposed regulatory changes could speed up dismissals and improve accountability.
Background
Police Scotland has faced scrutiny after several high-profile cases of officers convicted of sexual offences. The murder of Sarah Everard by a Metropolitan Police officer led to nationwide vetting reviews. Last month, 45 Scottish officers were reported as suspended over allegations of violence against women. The chief constable's letter to the justice committee marks the latest attempt to reform the conduct regime.
Key Perspectives
Chief Constable Jo Farrell: Described the situation as 'intolerable' and said sub-optimal regulations prevent fast dismissal even with incontrovertible evidence.
Justice Secretary Neil Gray: Agreed cases should be dealt with more quickly and said regulations have been introduced to allow faster action while retaining safeguards.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the justice committee meeting this week.
- Implementation of the proposed regulations and their effect on dismissal timelines.
- Any further revelations of convicted officers still on the payroll.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedFarrell described the state of affairs as “intolerable”.BBC Scotland: “She described the state of affairs as "intolerable"”
- SupportedNeil Gray said regulations had been introduced to Parliament to let Police Scotland act quicker in cases where there are convictions.BBC Scotland: “This is why we have introduced regulations to Parliament that will allow Police Scotland to act quicker in cases where there are convictions.”
- SupportedEleven officers convicted of crimes, including eight who have been violent towards women and girls, are still being paid.BBC Scotland: “Eleven officers who have been convicted of crimes - including eight who have been violent towards women and girls - are still on the Police Scotland pay roll.”
- SupportedFarrell said the existing process for cases of proven criminality had taken too long because of “sub-optimal regulations”.BBC Scotland: “There are cases of proven criminality where the existing process has taken too long because of sub-optimal regulations.”
- SupportedFarrell said some cases with “incontrovertible evidence” against officers could not be fast-tracked for dismissal under current arrangements.BBC Scotland: “There are other cases where there is incontrovertible evidence against officers which cannot be fast-tracked for dismissal under current arrangements.”
- SupportedFarrell said the process could leave people who have no place in policing in the organisation longer than they should be.BBC Scotland: “This can leave individuals who ultimately have no place in policing within the organisation for longer than they should be.”
- SupportedThe 80 suspended officers cost about £4.5m a year, which Farrell attributed to sluggish conduct arrangements and the time cases take to go through court.BBC Scotland: “Farrell also said the £4.5m annual cost of the 80 officers who are currently suspended was down to "sluggish" conduct arrangements, as well as the time necessary for cases to go through courts.”
- SupportedFarrell said the proposals would “modernise the police conduct regime” and accelerate hearings for the most serious cases while enhancing transparency of outcomes.BBC Scotland: “modernise the police conduct regime, to accelerate hearings for the most serious cases and enhance transparency of outcomes”
- SupportedFarrell said, “I strongly support the focus on treating witnesses and complainers in a trauma-informed way.”BBC Scotland: “"I strongly support the focus on treating witnesses and complainers in a trauma-informed way," she said.”
- SupportedThe letter was sent ahead of a justice committee meeting that week, where members would discuss options to let Police Scotland act quicker in conviction cases.BBC Scotland: “Farrell wrote the letter to justice committee convener David Linden ahead of a meeting this week.”
- SupportedLast month, Farrell said 300 to 400 officers had been re-vetted under new rules following Sarah Everard’s murder by Met Police officer Wayne Couzens.BBC Scotland: “Last month, Farrell said that between 300 and 400 officers had now been re-vetted as part of new rules brought in following the murder of Sarah Everard by Met Police officer Wayne Couzens.”
- SupportedForty-five serving officers were suspended over allegations of violence against women and girls.BBC Scotland: “It also emerged last month that 45 serving officers are currently suspended over allegations of violence against women and girls.”