Tayside Police drugs squad officer suspended over alleged assaults

AN OFFICER with the Tayside Police drugs squad has been suspended and charged with assault following an internal investigation.

And officers from Grampian Police have now been called in to conduct a wide ranging investigation into the activities of “certain individuals” within the drugs squad after concerns were raised by senior officers within the Tayside force.

The 40 year-old officer, who has not been named, was suspended in January after senior officers at the force launched an internal investigation. He has still to appear in court.

And officers from neighbouring Grampian Police have now been brought in to conduct an external investigation into “matters of concern” about the activities of “certain individuals” within the drugs squad.

A spokeswoman for Tayside Police said: ‘‘Tayside Police identified matters of concern about the working practices of certain individuals and, following discussions with the Procurator Fiscal, has requested that a neighbouring force conducts an independent investigation.”

He added: “Tayside Police can confirm that a 40 year-old serving police officer was suspended with immediate effect in January, 2012, after he was charged in relation to alleged assaults. It is not appropriate to comment further at this time.’’

A force source explained that the 40 year-old officer had been suspended earlier this year following an initial internal investigation by Tayside officers. He said: “He was suspended in relation to matters which were identified separate to any inquiry by Grampian Police. Officers from Grampian Police have now been called in to conduct an external investigation and there is now an ongoing enquiry by Grampian Police.”

A Crown Office spokesman said: “Following discussions with Tayside Police, during which they raised concerns about the working practices of certain individuals, the Procurator Fiscal has requested that a neighbouring force conducts an independent investigation.

“As the investigation is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

It is understood that, as a result of the external investigation by Grampian Police, some drug squad officers have already been moved to other duties.