HC Deb 20 May 1952 vol 501 cc39-40W
90. Mr. McGovern

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) the number of cases before the various Glasgow courts since January, 1945, where prisoners have made allegations of brutal treatment at the hands of the police when being arrested, conveyed to the police stations or detained; the names of prisoners, police officials and dates of allegations; and how many police officers have been dismissed in consequence;

(2) The number of police officers in Glasgow, the names, rank, service and charge in each case, where they have been brought before the courts, since January, 1945; in how many cases they have been found guilty, not proven, and not guilty, respectively; and the names of those charged who are still in the police force;

(3) The number of constables and other ranks who have been before the Chief Constable since January, 1945, on charges of indiscipline; and the number and names of the men discharged and those still retained, respectively each year since that date.

Mr. J. Stuart

Since 1st January, 1945:

  1. (a) 16 prisoners have made allegations of assault by police officers. In 15 of the cases the allegations were investigated by the Procurator Fiscal who found no ground to justify proceedings. In the other case, the jury at a fatal accident inquiry was satisfied that the injuries were not due to any violence by the police. None of the officers has been dismissed.
  2. (b) 30 constables, 2 sergeants and 2 inspectors, with service ranging from 9 months to 25 years, have been tried in the courts, on a variety of charges—8 under the Road Traffic Acts, 11 of offences involving dishonesty, 8 of assault (in two cases while off duty), and the remaining 7 of a miscellaneous character. Of the officers concerned 20 were found guilty, and 7 not guilty. In 6 cases the charge was found not proven, and 1 case was dealt with under the Probation of Offenders Acts. Of the 34. 18 are still in the force.
  3. (c) 99 constables, 4 sergeants and 2 inspectors have been charged with offences against the Police Discipline Code. Of these, 102 were found guilty and punished. 9 constables, 1 sergeant and 1 inspector were dismissed, 2 constables were required to resign and 2 constables resigned. Of the remainder, 58 are still in the force.

I am concerned with disciplinary cases only if they come before me on appeal from the decision of the disciplinary authority and I am accordingly not in a position to give particulars of the individual officers concerned in the cases referred to.