Figures reveal 'criminal' police officers in Scotland

Police offences ranged from traffic violations to drugs and firearms offences

More than 40 police officers in Scotland have been convicted of a criminal offence since January 2009, it has emerged.

Figures show the crimes ranged from speeding to drugs and firearms offences.

A total of 43 officers were convicted of criminal offences between 1 January 2009 and 2 December last year.

The figures were obtained by a Freedom of Information request sent to all eight Scottish police forces.

The Press Association information request showed that the majority of crimes were for traffic violations, but others included assault, attempts to pervert the course of justice and breach of the peace.

They were mostly committed by off-duty officers, whose rank ranged from constable to sergeant.

Scotland's largest force, Strathclyde, had the most convicted officers, at 29, who committed 35 crimes.

Among them were 20 convictions for driving offences, four for assault and eight for breach of the peace.

Misconduct investigation

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.

By contrast, Tayside Police said no serving officers had been convicted of a crime between January 2009 and November last year.

Three Northern Constabulary officers were convicted of a criminal offence over the same period.

These included 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 of the offences, were convicted of crimes.

The offences were breach of the Data Protection Act and speeding.

In 2009, three Fife Constabulary officers received fines for speeding offences that took place while off duty.

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 exceeding a statutory speed limit 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 between 1 January 2009 and 10 November last year three officers were convicted.

The force said: "All of the convictions were for breach of the peace. Two cases were off duty and the other was on duty.

"Two of the officers resigned prior to any misconduct proceedings and the other is still a serving officer.

The constable still serving was convicted of an off-duty breach of the peace."