Tuesday August 4th 2026
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan
Allegations of sexual misconduct and domestic abuse are fuelling a shocking increase in the number of suspensions of police officers in Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Borders.
Data obtained through freedom of information legislation shows suspensions of officers in E and J divisions of Police Scotland has increased every year for the last five years.
Of the 33 officers suspended in both divisions between the start of 2021 and now, 14 – more than four in ten – were alleged to have been involved in sexual misconduct or domestic abuse.
The number of officer suspensions has been rising consistently in both divisions during the past five years, too. In 2021, just two officers were suspended, while in 2025, 11 were.
Police Scotland told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it demands the ‘highest level of integrity’ from officers, and that when standards are not met, appropriate action is taken.
They added: “Those who do not uphold our values have no place in Police Scotland”.
Just two officers were dismissed during the same time period, both in J division for ‘Gross Misconduct (Discreditable Conduct)’ in 2024 and 2025.
But in an explanatory note with the data, the service stated that suspension does not necessarily lead to dismissal.
They added that the main reason dismissals don’t take place is that many officers “resign or retire before reaching the point of dismissal, or before dismissal is considered.”
Edinburgh Live reported last month on the conviction of 39-year-old Midlothian cop David Brown, for domestic abuse.
He was found to have subjected his former partner to a campaign of abuse for more than five years, with the charge covering actions at a residential address in Bonnyrigg.
At time of Edinburgh Live’s story, the officer was suspended, but still a member of the police service. The 39-year-old’s sentencing hearing is yet to take place.
Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Helen Harrison told the outlet: “Brown’s actions go against everything we stand for.
“Our thoughts are with the victim, and I hope this conviction provides her with some measure of closure.”
Alleged domestic violence, sexual misconduct and ‘inappropriate behaviour’ each made up seven of the suspensions recorded since the start of 2021.
Alleged ‘crimes of violence’ and ‘other criminality’ made up four each, while alleged data protection violations made up three and alleged road traffic offences counted for one.
Police Scotland said that when there is a ‘reasonable inference’ a crime may have been committed by an on-duty officer or staff member, a report is submitted to the Procurator Fiscal regardless of the balance of evidence.
They added: “Any case where proceedings are not instructed will still be considered under a misconduct assessment.”
E division covers City of Edinburgh Council, while J division covers East Lothian, West Lothian, Midlothian and the Borders.
Together, the two divisions cover the territory of the former Lothian and Borders Police, which was merged into Police Scotland in 2014.
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