Police Officer Promoted After Rape Allegations, Sparking Fierce Criticism

A police officer who carried out a string of sex crimes, including rape, over a 16-year period was promoted after his initial arrest, it has emerged, prompting sharp criticism of Police Scotland's vetting standards.

Campbell Petrie, 50, was convicted this week of nine charges involving the physical and sexual abuse of two women between 2006 and 2022. He was first arrested in 2009 in connection with allegations made by one of the women but remained in the force, eventually being promoted to sergeant in 2022. He retired last year following a second arrest for the offenses that led to his conviction.

The case has drawn parallels to that of Alan Greer, another police officer who took his own life in May after being arrested for sex attacks. Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Stephen Kerr questioned the force's response, stating, "The public are entitled to ask whether Police Scotland has properly learned the lessons from these failures. The central question is what was known, when it was known, and why action was not taken sooner."

Scottish Labour justice spokesman Pauline McNeill echoed the sentiment, saying, "These are reprehensible crimes, and it is right that any and all allegations within Police Scotland are fully investigated."

Details emerging from Petrie's trial at the High Court in Glasgow revealed he targeted one victim while she slept and subjected another to abuse that included name-calling and physical assaults. He denied the accusations, claiming he felt "absolutely humiliated."

Petrie, of Muirend, Glasgow, met one victim through their work in the police force, while he encountered another in a supermarket queue while on duty. He was initially arrested around 2009 but was released after being held for up to five hours. He remained in his position and was promoted before his second arrest in December 2023. Petrie retired from Police Scotland in December 2025 and had been working in a friend's sports shop.

After the verdicts, Judge Alistair Watson told Petrie that the "gravity of the crimes committed cannot be overstated." Petrie, who had been on bail, was remanded in custody pending sentencing next month.

Justice Secretary Neil Gray commented, "This is an extremely disturbing case and my thoughts are with the victims. The vast majority of police officers carry out their duties with professionalism and integrity every day, earning the trust that communities place in them. For any officer to abuse that position of trust is abhorrent."

Deputy Chief Constable Bex Smith of Police Scotland stated that in 2009, Petrie was arrested and questioned for threatening behavior, but the case did not proceed due to insufficient evidence. She added that an independent historic data wash did not identify any unknown information on Petrie. A complaint of rape was made in October 2023, leading to an investigation, arrest, charge, and suspension from duty in early December 2023.

"The courage shown by the victim to come forward and speak to police was crucial in helping us identify previous offending towards another woman," Smith said. "Violence against women and girls remains an absolute priority for Police Scotland and we will relentlessly pursue the perpetrators of these crimes."

It is understood that Petrie's pension will likely be impacted following sentencing. The Scottish Police Authority may be asked to remove the publicly contributed part of his pension.