Senior officer suspended amid ‘criminal and misconduct allegations’
ONE of crisis-hit Police Scotland's most senior officers was yesterday suspended amid a criminal investigation.
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Bernard Higgins, one of seven Assistant Chief Constables, was named along with a number of other officers to the independent Police Investigations and Review Commissioner(PIRC) but no details of the allegations have been made public.
Pirc officials passed details of their probe to the Scottish Police Authority(SPA) and the decision was taken to suspend Mr Higgins and three other officers. Two of their colleagues have also been placed on restricted duties.
Mr Higgins joined the former Strathclyde Police as a constable in 1988, and since September last year has had responsibility for Operational Support, Custody and Criminal Justice divisions.
In a statement, the SPA said: "The decision was taken by the SPA Board after a number of criminal and misconduct allegations were brought to the Authority’s attention by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC).
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"The Authority may suspend a senior officer on the condition that an effective criminal or misconduct investigation may be prejudiced, or if the nature of the allegations would make suspension in the public interest.
"Having considered the views of the PIRC, the Authority has concluded that both these conditions were satisfied and have taken the necessary steps this afternoon to suspend him from the office of constable. "
The statement continued: "The SPA has in addition today formally referred misconduct allegations relating to the senior officer to the PIRC for further investigation having assessed that, if proven, they would constitute gross misconduct.
"The suspension is effective with immediate effect and will be reviewed in four weeks, or if there is a change in circumstances relevant to the suspension. "
The SPA added that Deputy Chief Constable Designate Iain Livingstone had been advised of the move and was 'has been advised and is taking the necessary steps to ensure effective interim management arrangements are put in place.'
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Mr Livingstone cancelled his planned retirement after Chief Constable, Phil Gormley was given 'special leave' while complaints against him are considered by the SPA.
Last night he said: "I can confirm that Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins was suspended today by the Scottish Police Authority.
“In addition, three other officers have been suspended, and two others placed on restricted duties, by Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick.
“This is connection with an investigation by the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner.
“At this time our focus must remain on continuing to meet the operational challenges that we face each day."
PA
The suspension is the latest blow to the cash-strapped force and the SPA following five complaints against Mr Gormley.
He stepped aside in September amid investigations into two allegations of bullying. Those were followed by a third claim of bullying, before a fourth allegation of gross misconduct was made in October. Mr Gormley has denied all the allegations against him and has said that he intends to resume his duties in the future.
A PIRC spokesman last night said: "Following receipt of anonymous allegations of criminality by officers, including a senior officer, serving with Police Scotland, the Commissioner referred the allegations to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).
"This was to allow the COPFS to consider whether the criminal allegations should be investigated by the Commissioner.
"The COPFS decided that an independent investigation should be carried out by the PIRC and this is now under way."
