Up to 50 Scottish police officers suspended over alleged crimes against women
56 minutes ago
Louise Hosie, Andrew Picken and James Delaney
BBC Scotland
Jo Farrell said she expected more accusations of violence towards women by serving police officers would come to light.
The chief constable of Police Scotland, Jo Farrell, has revealed that up to 50 serving officers are currently suspended over allegations of violence against women and girls. This comes after a series of former officers were convicted for sexual offences.
Farrell announced a review into the handling of the case of police officer Alan Greer, who was exposed as a serial rapist after taking his own life. She also noted that approximately 8,000 officers remain to be "re-vetted" due to changes in regulations this year.
In an interview with BBC Scotland News, Farrell described the prevalence of violence against women and girls in Scotland as an "epidemic". She stated:
"We've got in the order of between currently 40 and 50 people currently suspended, so not at work, who are being investigated for offences that relate to violence against women and girls."
Alan Greer, a police officer convicted of repeatedly attacking and attempting to murder women over 14 years, passed vetting checks to join Strathclyde Police in 2009 despite having prior reports of criminal behaviour against women. He took his own life in May at the age of 47.
Farrell explained that an independent review is underway to determine if any gaps in the vetting process contributed to Greer's offending. The review aims to identify learning opportunities for future cases.
Greer is one of three former officers exposed as rapists this year. In July, Cameron Ross was jailed for 10 years after being found guilty of raping two women and threatening another in Stornoway and Inverness over a decade.