Former Police Sergeant Convicted of Rape Was First Arrested 17 Years Ago
Campbell Petrie found guilty of multiple sex offenses and violence against two women, raising questions about vetting procedures within Police Scotland.
A former Police Scotland sergeant, Campbell Petrie, has been convicted of rape and other serious offenses against two women spanning from 2006 to 2022. Petrie, 50, was first arrested 17 years ago in 2009 following a complaint of threatening behavior from one of the victims, but no further action was taken due to insufficient evidence. He remained a serving officer until a second woman reported an alleged rape in October 2023, leading to his arrest, suspension, and eventual conviction. Petrie was found guilty of nine charges at the High Court in Glasgow, including indecently assaulting one woman while she slept and raping the second woman on multiple occasions. He was also convicted of assaulting both women by grabbing their throats.
His conviction brings the total number of serving or former Police Scotland officers exposed as rapists this year to three. In July, Cameron Ross was sentenced to ten years for raping two women and abusing a third. Subsequently, Alan Greer, a police officer who died by suicide in May, was revealed to be a serial rapist who had attacked women over a 15-year period. Greer had reportedly passed vetting checks in 2009 despite having prior reports of criminal behavior against women.
The repeated cases have intensified scrutiny on police background checks in Scotland. In 2023, all UK police forces conducted a data wash following the crimes of Met officers Wayne Couzens and David Carrick. Police Scotland confirmed that the 2009 complaint against Petrie did not yield further action due to a lack of evidence, and the subsequent data wash did not uncover new information on him. The force stated its checks went beyond UK standards, including interrogating vulnerable person databases and intelligence systems.
The Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) has expressed concerns regarding the progress of vetting within Police Scotland, particularly in light of these cases. Chief Inspector Craig Naylor noted that HMICS had previously made recommendations for improvement in vetting and misconduct management.
The new Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act, passed in January 2025, aims to strengthen vetting procedures by implementing a career-long, structured regime for officers. Scotland's Justice Secretary, Neil Gray, described Petrie's crimes as "extremely disturbing" and his abuse of trust as "abhorrent." The legislation includes provisions for continuing misconduct proceedings against officers who resign or retire, though this has not yet been enacted. Petrie's conviction may also affect his pension, with the Scottish Police Authority able to seek forfeiture of his employer's contributions.
Police Scotland has designated violence against women and girls as an "absolute priority." Deputy Chief Constable Bex Smith commended the second victim for coming forward, stating that her evidence was crucial in identifying Petrie's past offending. She assured the public that the force would identify and investigate officers involved in such crimes, whether serving or retired, on or off duty. The Scottish Police Federation acknowledged the public's concern but suggested that the identification and prosecution of these individuals should offer reassurance.