A SERVING police officer has been placed on the sex offenders register after subjecting three colleagues to "appalling" language and behaviour while on duty.
Peter Fleming pleaded guilty at Greenock Sheriff Court on Monday to three charges of communicating indecently with female police officers by engaging them in conversations of a sexual nature.
The 41-year-old also made sexual remarks towards the women in incidents between February 2021 and May 2023, while he was serving in Rothesay.
In May 2023, he was on uniform duty when a male member of the public used sexualised behaviours and language towards his colleague.
Fleming later described the man’s actions as "banter," before instigating a conversation about sex in the marked police vehicle.
He talked in graphic detail, with several of his comments being too explicit to print.
A fiscal depute told the court: “She described feeling uncomfortable and awkward in the police car, and felt she had to curl away from him and lean against the wall of the vehicle.
A few days later, Fleming made further comments to the officer at Rothesay police office, telling her she could "tie herself up and dress like a schoolgirl".
The woman was left feeling "physically sick" and later messaged a colleague, saying: “I sat here so I wasn’t in Fleming’s line of sight.”
After Fleming’s behaviour was reported to supervisors in Rothesay, the case was referred to Police Scotland’s professional standards department.
Another officer, who was seen crying while working alongside Fleming in 2022, was contacted and informed of the ongoing investigation in May 2023.
She immediately became upset and stated: “Is this about Peter Fleming?”
The woman recalled Fleming driving a marked police vehicle to "secluded" areas of Bute and telling her that he had had sex while on duty in these locations.
A fiscal depute added: “He suggested these were locations where he could have sex with her.
“She felt awkward and embarrassed and laughed awkwardly.”
A statement was also obtained from a third officer, who worked with Fleming in 2021.
On one occasion, he made a comment about her body at Rothesay police office.
While she did not report feeling "uncomfortable," the woman felt he was "testing the water".
Sheriff James Varney told Fleming: “In the cold light of day, I hope the narrative is absolutely shocking.
“You are right to drop your head in shame, because that type of behaviour is appalling. It’s unacceptable, particularly in a professional environment.”
Police Scotland said Fleming "remains suspended" from the force, and said a report would be prepared for the deputy chief constable for consideration of misconduct proceedings.
Chief Superintendent Helen Harrison of Professional Standards said: "Peter Fleming's conduct falls way below the standards of professional behaviour expected of everyone who works here. "I would like to commend the victims in this case for coming forward.
"We know it can be difficult to report crimes of this nature, but their pursuit of justice reflects their integrity to do the right thing and I applaud their values. "Communicating indecently is never acceptable in society no matter what position you hold and these crimes will always be fully investigated. "It is right that policing is held to high standards at all times, and we will always support officers and staff acting with our values and standards at heart."
