MOST sexual misconduct claims against police officers in Scotland were made while staff were on duty, a new report has revealed.
Some 410 allegations were made between January 2017 and October 2021, including allegations of sexual assault (30%), inappropriate comments (17%), and inappropriate messaging (13%), according to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA).
A total of 63% of these occurred while staff were on duty, the report outlined.
The figures, which were reported publicly to the SPA’s complaints and conduct committee in May last year, were revealed in papers released before its annual authority meeting on Thursday.
READ MORE: Kate Forbes to keep fighting amid calls for her to quit SNP race
The SPA said following a number of high-profile cases, including the murder of Sarah Everard by serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, there had been a push for UK police forces to look at their internal approach to professional boundaries.
In October 2021, Police Scotland commissioned a review of all complaints and conduct matters which had been reported to or within the organisation since January 2017 and which contained sexual circumstances.
While it found hundreds of complaints, the SPA’s Complaints and Conduct Committee annual report said the review found “no significant issues in terms of how these matters were investigated”.
The report said: “Opportunities were identified to enhance organisational learning and raise awareness of the Standards of Professional Behaviour (as set out in the Police Service of Scotland (Conduct) Regulations 2014 and which reflect the expectations of officers, whether on or off duty).
“A number of recommendations were identified, including enhancement of vetting arrangements, and a range of actions and preventative activity to be progressed over the forthcoming 12 months.”
The SPA said the review will be refreshed to cover the period from October 2021 to the present day.
READ MORE: Lorna Slater has the perfect response to Jordan Peterson's 'toxic' jibe
A policy surrounding the investigation of sexual or domestic abuse offending by officers on or off duty is also under way, according to one of the reports released ahead of the meeting.
While the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has a key role in investigating on-duty criminality by police officers, the paper said “it was recommended and has been agreed that Police Scotland will immediately develop and introduce a policy which addresses investigative ownership”.
Other papers published ahead of the meeting include reports from senior police staff, including the chief constable and chairperson of the SPA, and reviews on other matters such as finances, resources and future policing.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here