Bad cops: 40 Scottish officers found guilty of criminal offences

FORTY police officers in Scotland have been convicted of criminal offences since January 2009, figures have revealed.

The majority of the crimes were traffic violations, such as speeding, but others included attempting to pervert the course of justice, breach of the peace, and drugs and firearms offences.

Most of the criminal acts took place while the officers - whose ranks ranged from constable to sergeant - were off duty. Many are still serving with their force, despite having a conviction.

Three officers were fined for motoring offences but did not receive a criminal conviction. Some officers resigned after their convictions and before misconduct proceedings by their force.

The figures were obtained through a Freedom of Information request to all eight police forces in Scotland, asking how many of their officers had been convicted of criminal offences since January 2009.

Strathclyde Police had 29 officers convicted of a total of 35 criminal offences between then and 10 November last year.

There were 20 convictions for driving offences, four for assault and eight for breach of the peace. There were also convictions under the Misuse of Drugs Act and Firearms Act, and attempting to pervert the course of justice. The force said one of its officers had been dismissed as a result of a conviction.

Three Northern Constabulary officers were convicted of a criminal offence since January 2009. The offences were attempting to pervert the course of justice, careless driving and contravention of Section 44 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967.

The force said the officer convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice resigned before completion of a misconduct investigation.

It also said an investigation was ongoing into the officer convicted of contravention of Section 44 of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967, which covers offences including crimes such as neglecting or violating their duty.

Two Lothian and Borders Police constables, who were not on duty at the time, were convicted of criminal acts. The offences were breach of the Data Protection Act and speeding.

In 2009, three Fife Constabulary officers received fines for speeding that took place while off duty. None of the force's officers were convicted of a criminal offence up to 10 November last year.

Two Central Scotland Police constables were convicted of driving offences between January 2009 and 11 November last year.

Grampian Police said a constable was convicted of speeding between January 2009 and 10 November last year. The officer was not sacked or dismissed as a result of the conviction.

Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary said that between 1 January 2009 and 10 November last year, three officers were convicted for breach of the peace. Tayside Police said that no serving officers were convicted of a criminal offence between January 2009 and 10 November.