Politics · United Kingdom · 1 day ago
140 Police Scotland officers on restricted duties, including 19 facing abuse claims
A private Scottish Police Authority report records 140 Police Scotland officers on restricted duties as of last month.
Nineteen of them face allegations of sexual or domestic offences, while others face claims including assault and road traffic offences.
Restricted duties can mean being taken off patrol, operational work or public-facing roles.
The report says these restrictions are not punishment, but are used when a risk assessment supports limits on an officer’s work and suspension is not considered necessary.
Police Scotland has also confirmed that 45 officers are suspended over claims of violence against women and girls.
Critics say the public needs confidence that allegations are handled consistently and that investigations do not drag on.
Police Scotland says each decision to suspend or restrict an officer is based on the circumstances of the case and a full risk assessment.
A private Scottish Police Authority report recorded 140 Police Scotland officers on restricted duties as of last month.
Among them, 19 were accused of domestic or sexual offences: eight of sexual offences and 11 of domestic offences.
A further 121 officers faced allegations including assault, road traffic offences and data protection violations.
Police Scotland said restrictions and suspensions are decided after a full risk assessment based on each case.
Politicians and an abuse-support organisation questioned whether safeguards, transparency and consistent handling of allegations were adequate.
- Who
- Police Scotland officers, including 19 accused of domestic or sexual offences.
- What
- A Scottish Police Authority report recorded 140 officers on restricted duties.
- When
- The report recorded the figures as of September 2026; it was discussed on September 15.
- Where
- Scotland.
- Why
- Restrictions are used when a risk assessment indicates limits are needed but the circumstances do not merit suspension.
Critics of Police Scotland's handling
Police Scotland
Safeguards
Critics of Police Scotland's handling
Allegations require appropriate safeguards while investigations are ongoing, critics said.
Police Scotland
Each decision to suspend or restrict an officer follows a full risk assessment.
Consistency
Critics of Police Scotland's handling
Reports of domestic and sexual abuse should be handled consistently, Rape Crisis Scotland said.
Police Scotland
Decisions take into consideration the circumstances of each case.
Transparency
Critics of Police Scotland's handling
The public must have confidence that allegations are treated seriously and that Police Scotland is transparent, Scottish Labour's justice spokeswoman said.
Police Scotland
Not stated
These figures raise serious questions. The public must have confidence that every allegation is treated with the utmost seriousness, that appropriate safeguards are in place while investigations are ongoing, and that Police Scotland is being fully transparent about the action it is taking.
There should be a consistent approach to how reports of domestic and sexual abuse are handled. It shouldn’t be suspension for one and desk duty for another.
Every decision to suspend or restrict officers is made with a full risk assessment and takes into consideration the circumstances of each case.
feel the full force of the law
The SPA complaints and conduct committee discussed the restricted-duties report in private.
Former police officer Campbell Petrie was convicted of crimes against two women, including two counts of rape.
The SPA report recorded 140 officers on restricted duties.
Police Scotland confirmed that 45 officers were suspended over claims of violence against women and girls.
- Officers on restricted duties
- 140
- Accused of sexual offences
- 8
- Accused of domestic offences
- 11
- Facing assault allegations while on duty
- 19
- Facing road traffic allegations
- 27
- Women among officers on restricted duties
- 32
Sources
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