Tayside police officers to be questioned as part of investigation into working practices

• Grampian Police detectives brought in to conduct external investigation into activity of Tayside drugs squad after two Tayside officers charged with assault in separate cases

• Woking practices to be looked at after matters of concern raised about certain individuals

Detectives from Grampian Police were brought in to conduct an external investigation into the activities of the drugs squad of the Tayside force earlier this year after two Tayside officers, one a member of the squad, were separately charged with assault.

A 40 year-old male officer with the Tayside drugs unit was suspended in January and charged in relation to allegations of assaults. And in May a 27 year-old male officer, who is not a member of the drugs squad and has not been suspended from duty, was also charged in relation to an alleged assault following an internal force investigation.

Tayside Police then announced that a team from neighbouring Grampian Police had been called in to conduct a wide-ranging investigation into “matters of concern” about the activities of “certain individuals” within the drugs squad after concerns were raised by senior figures within the Tayside force.

And it has now been revealed that a total of 24 serving officers, including some drug squad detectives, have been told to make themselves available for interview by officers from the crime management unit of Grampian Police as part of the external investigation, codenamed Operation Teal. The officers have been told to bring legal representation if they feel it is necessary.

A letter sent to the Tayside Police officers states: “Grampian Police have been instructed by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to conduct an external force investigation into several inquiries which were dealt with by Tayside Police.

“As a result of the investigation to date you will require to be interviewed as a suspect in respect of a criminal investigation.”

A Tayside Police spokesman said: “Tayside Police identified matters of concern about the working practices of certain individuals and, following, discussions with the Procurator Fiscal, it was requested that Grampian Police conduct an independent investigation into the full circumstances.

‘‘To date a number of police officers have spoken with the investigation and officers will continue to assist the enquiry team as required.”

He added: ‘‘It is not appropriate to comment further at this time.’’

Councillor Jimmy Black, convener of the Tayside Police Joint Board, said: “If we didn’t investigate complaints then that would affect public confidence. The fact we are prepared to call in another force to come in and investigate 24 of our officers demonstrates we are determined to ensure things are done properly, and if an police officer has behaved improperly in the past then they will be dealt with.”