Scotland’s most senior female officer has branded the murder of Sarah Everard “appalling” and urged women not to be scared to talk to police.
Police Scotland’s Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor moved to reassure the public over the horror attack, as her force rarely has officers working alone to make an arrest.
Fears over approaches from police have been sparked by the twisted actions of diplomatic protection officer Wayne Couzens, 48, who used handcuffs and his Met police warrant card to falsely arrest Sarah on his own before killing her.
Unlike in England, rules on corroboration in Scotland mean police always work in pairs when on duty and making an arrest.
DCC Taylor, who joined Police Scotland from the Met in 2018, said: “The appalling circumstances of Sarah Everard’s death have deeply affected people and many are now rightly concerned about verifying an officer’s identity.
“Police officers always carry photographic identification and will be happy to provide further reassurance about who they are and their reason for speaking with someone if requested.
“Women should never be scared or reluctant to report any crime to us and can be assured that we will listen, support and carry out a robust and impartial investigation.”
Police Scotland officers are deployed in pairs and rarely work alone because of the need for corroboration.
On the rare occasion an officer is on their own, they would act to arrest if they saw a crime taking place but would ask for colleagues to come to the location. DCC Taylor said her officers will act with “absolute professionalism to protect the vulnerable and keep people safe”.
Graeme Pearson, former senior police chief and director of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency, said Sarah’s death rightly raised questions about how an officer with Couzens’ background made the grade in the first place.
Pearson, who also served as a Labour MSP, said: “The courts heard more than enough evidence about him, such as huge debts and his behaviour, to suggest he should never have been near a uniform.”
Earlier this year it was revealed that Police Scotland had investigated hundreds of sexual complaints against officers in the past five years. Twelve of the 119 complaints related to assault, five were crimes of indecency and 83 were labelled as criminal.
The figures, obtained through Freedom Of Information requests, also revealed 343 allegations with a sexual circumstance that were deemed potential misconduct cases.
In 53 incidents, officers either resigned or retired, forcing an end to the claims.
Police Scotland said that complaints of a sexual nature could also be moved on to misconduct complaints, meaning that some numbers could double up.
Scottish police will be the first in the UK to introduce verification checks on officers.
The new Police Scotland rules will see members of the public able to check cops are legitimate by speaking with control rooms via police radios. An incident number will then be displayed on the officer’s mobile phone or radio to confirm the details.
In situations where they are acting alone the force said the officer will call 999 and allow the member of the public to speak to the control room on the phone.
