Mcleod police campaign backed by Scottish Tory leader
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A CAITHNESS family's campaign to prevent police officers retiring or resigning while under investigation has been supported by Scottish Conservative leader, Douglas Ross.
June and Hugh Mcleod – the parents of 24-year-old Kevin Mcleod whose body was found in Wick harbour over 23 years ago – wrote to Mr Ross to see where he stood on the issue. He told them he is "entirely supportive of the changes to allow complaints to be brought even after an officer has resigned or retired."
The response from Mr Ross delighted the family as Allan Mcleod – Kevin's uncle – explained. "We welcome the support from Douglas Ross for change to the existing system and the support from our local SNP MSP, Gail Ross, who continues to assist the family in our campaign for justice. The current regulations which allow police officers to escape punishment by retiring or resigning is clearly biased and unfair."
"We hope the impending report by Dame Elish Angiolini – into police complaints handling, investigations and misconduct issues – will have positive recommendations given that there is political support for change, and that her recommendations will finally be implemented by the Scottish Government."
Kevin’s body was found in Wick harbour in February 1997 after a night out in the town. The family is convinced he was murdered because of the injuries he sustained but the police insist the death was a tragic accident.
In his reply to the Mcleod family, Douglas Ross said he was sorry to "hear of your loss and the difficulties that you and your family have encountered."
"As a parent myself, I cannot imagine the distress and anguish this has caused you and want to do all I can to support your efforts.
"I can confirm, I am entirely supportive of the changes to allow complaints to be brought even after an officer has resigned or retired. I note the preliminary report of the Dame Angiolini review recommends that the Scottish Government amend the relevant definitions to put beyond doubt the meaning of 'person serving with the police'. I agree there is too much ambiguity over the meaning of the phrase.
"I understand the full report is due out later this year, and I can assure you the Scottish Conservatives will look closely at the outcomes."
June and Hugh Mcleod told Mr Ross they have been campaigning for change to the current police regulations since 2003 after Northern Constabulary’s deputy chief Constable Keith Cullen resigned just days before a disciplinary hearing relating to his handling of complaints by the family.
"We are still searching for answers over two decades since Kevin's tragic death. We believe that police officers must still be pursued for gross misconduct even after they retire or resign from the force."
The family want to see legislative changes similar to those made in England and Wales which prevent a police officer from leaving the service while subject to misconduct proceedings. The Mcleods would like action to be taken even after an officer has resigned or retired.
Far north MSP, Gail Ross, also backs the changes to the law. She said: "It is good to see that the Scottish Government recognise the situation. Hopefully, there will be a recommendation in the [Dame Angiolini] report and I will certainly support a change in the law if it comes before the parliament."
