Police Scotland's leadership is reportedly embroiled in intense infighting and power struggles, a situation described by critics as a "Kafkaesque mess" and "Game of Thrones on steroids." This internal turmoil is raising concerns about the force's ability to focus on combating crime.
At the center of the conflict is Chief Constable Jo Farrell, who has faced accusations of losing the support of senior officers. Simultaneously, one of her deputies, Jane Connors, is reportedly being sidelined and is the subject of a bullying investigation. Connors has been redeployed to work with the National Police Chiefs’ Council on migrant crime while remaining on the Police Scotland payroll. Her legal team is preparing a judicial review against the investigation, which began in December.
Further complicating the situation, Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs is facing an employment tribunal brought by a female civilian worker who alleges sexual harassment. Speirs also reportedly told a chief superintendent he would not be promoted because he was "too white, too male, too middle-aged," though this complaint was not pursued.
The Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS) is reportedly considering legal action to compel an investigation into these matters. These internal issues have surfaced alongside a report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) that found senior police officers are failing to meet "expected standards of professional behaviour." The HMICS report also indicated that the force had not disclosed all allegations of senior officer misconduct to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), the civilian oversight body.
Chief Constable Farrell reportedly delayed the publication of the HMICS report, citing potential implications for ongoing proceedings, particularly the investigation into Ms. Connors. The ASPS accused Farrell of "undermining public confidence" by this delay, which occurred shortly before Scotland's May elections. Assistant Chief Constable Wendy Middleton also reportedly confronted Farrell about these issues in a management meeting, resulting in Middleton being declared "persona non grata."
Critics argue that the ongoing distractions within the police leadership benefit criminals, diverting attention from law enforcement. The current situation is compared to past scandals, including the resignation of former Chief Constable Phil Gormley in 2018 amid bullying allegations.
Reports indicate that Chief Constable Farrell receives a significant salary, exceeding £280,000 annually, with a substantial increase since she took the post three years ago. In 2023, she reportedly used an unmarked police car for a personal journey to her home in Northumberland.
Meanwhile, crime statistics show an increase in violent offending and record-high reports of rape and attempted rape. Concerns are growing about lawlessness in urban areas, with critics pointing to the establishment of Police Scotland in 2013 as a move that reduced local accountability. The SPA has been criticized for being ineffective in holding senior officers accountable.
The creation of Police Scotland as a centralized force has been a point of contention, with initial concerns about the concentration of power and the blurring of lines between policing and politics, fears that critics say have been justified.