§ Mr. Hirstasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will detail for each of the past 10 years (a) the number of police officers in Scotland charged with criminal offences arising from their duty, (b) the number of police officers subsequently convicted and (c) the nature of the offence in respect of which the officers were charged, with appropriate numbers of charges and convictions.
228W
§ Mr. AncramThe information requested is not available in the form or for the complete period specified, but the table has been compiled from statistical returns by chief constables for the period 1977 to 1983. It shows the total numbers of officers charged with and convicted of crimes or offences of all categories, but it is not possible to identify separately crimes or offences committed on and off duty. Traffic offences are the main single category.
Number of police officers in Scotland charged with and convicted of crimes or offences in 1977–83 Year Charged Convicted 1977 338 111 1978 341 110 1979 332 73 1980 332 115 1981 261 80 1982 252 77 1983 322 *73 * As at 31 December 1983. Details of the number of complaints against the police which led to the institution of criminal proceedings are given in the annual reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary. Copies of these reports are in the Library.