Police chiefs in Scotland are under scrutiny for allegedly covering up the extent of sexual misconduct accusations against officers.
As per reports, Ireland’s newspaper The Scottish Mail on Sunday reported earlier this year that a record number of police officers were receiving sex complaints. Concerning statistics submitted to the nation’s police watchdog body revealed that charges had quadrupled compared to the pervious year and suspensions had increased by 80%.
In a concerning development, Police Scotland has altered the way it records sexual misconduct allegations, making it more challenging for the public to track any potential increase in complaints.
This revelation has drawn condemnation from politicians, particularly in the wake of high-profile cases of officers committing violent crimes across the UK.
Despite heightened scrutiny on officer behavior following cases like the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Sarah Everard in London, Police Scotland has opted to obscure the number of officers accused of sexual misconduct.
Previously reported quarterly to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), sexual misconduct allegations are now placed under the broader ‘other’ category, containing 433 general complaints with no specifics.
The change, made without explanation by Police Scotland, has raised concerns about transparency. Scottish Tory justice spokesman Russell Findlay emphasized the risk of public suspicion, stating that secrecy regarding serious allegations hinders trust. Scottish Labour justice spokesman Pauline McNeill called for a reversal of this decision, emphasizing the need for transparency amid a spike in sexual misconduct cases.
Recent figures indicate a notable increase in sexual misconduct complaints against Police Scotland officers and staff. In the first nine months of the 2022/23 financial year, 67 complaints were received, almost double the previous year’s count. Jo Farrell, the new Chief Constable of Police Scotland, faces additional criticism after apologizing for commandeering a police car for personal use.
When questioned about the altered statistics, Police Scotland suggested submitting a Freedom of Information request. This change also prompts concerns about oversight by the SPA, which no longer receives sexual misconduct information as it did before. The SPA reassured the public of its commitment to addressing these complaints and pledged to work with Police Scotland to publish relevant information by the end of the financial year.
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