A record number of cops were sacked last year for gross misconduct, shock figures reveal. Fourteen officers were dismissed in 2025, compared with six the year before and three in 2023.
The figures, released by Police Scotland under Freedom of Information, have been recorded since 2015 and are the highest in that period.
But the body that represents officers in Scotland says the bar for misconduct has been set “too low” with cops subject toa stricter standard of conduct than the public. The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) also revealed four members sacked in the last two years have since been reinstated on appeal.
SPF general secretary David Kennedy added: “If you are in a situation where an officer is being sacked and then reinstated, then that means you are getting it wrong.
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“The officers who we have represented, and who were then reinstated, had not been convicted of anything. They were sacked when they shouldn’t have been.
“We have said to Police Scotland and Professional Standards Department the bar is set too low. ”
He added: “We know there are police officers facing criminal or misconduct charges where if you were a normal member of the public that wouldn’t happen.”
Cops can be sacked under the Discreditable Conduct Standard of Professional Behaviour regulations that say an officer should behave in a manner which does not discredit the police service or undermine public confidence, on or off duty. In 2024, one was dismissed after being accused of “inappropriate sexual behaviour” towards a child.
Although a court later found the criminal charge “not proven,” Police Scotland proceeded with the dismissal on the grounds the behaviour was incompatible with the force’s safeguarding policies.
Other sackings include engaging in sexual activity during a private gathering of colleagues where a young person was present, being involved in a road accident while over the legal alcohol limit and sending “unsolicited messages of a sexual nature” to a colleague while off duty.
Misconduct proceedings are scrapped if an officer quits before a disciplinary hearing takes place.
But new regulations, coming in later this year, will enable a force to continue that action after they have resigned.
Chief Superintendent Helen Harrison of Police Scotland said: “Officers are bound by our Standards of Professional Behaviour, which apply on and off duty. Where any officer falls below the standards expected, there are robust and transparent mechanisms in place to hold them to account. Appropriate action will be taken when an officer fails to uphold our standards.
“The determination in each gross misconduct case is made by an independent senior officer following full consideration of the available evidence, the response of the subject officer and any exculpatory evidence. Outcomes can vary, from dismissal, to demotion in rank, final warning, written warning and improvement action. In addition, when any learning from a case is identified, this will be actioned.
“We are committed to focusing on our standards and values of integrity, fairness, respect and human rights.”
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