A police officer in Scotland was promoted after being arrested for alleged sex crimes, a development that has sparked sharp criticism of the force's vetting procedures. Campbell Petrie, 50, was convicted this week of nine charges, including rape, indecent assault, and assault with intent to rape, involving two women between 2006 and 2022.
Petrie, who had worked undercover, was initially arrested in 2009 following allegations made by one of the victims. He remained with Police Scotland and was promoted before his second arrest in December 2023, which led to his conviction. He retired from the force in December 2025.
The case has drawn parallels to that of another convicted rapist police officer, Alan Greer, who died by suicide in May after being arrested for sex attacks. This has intensified scrutiny on Police Scotland's internal processes.
Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Stephen Kerr stated that the public is entitled to question whether Police Scotland has learned from past failures. "The central question is what was known, when it was known, and why action was not taken sooner," Kerr said, calling for an independent review to expose any wider failings within the force.
Scottish Labour justice spokesman Pauline McNeill emphasized the need for full investigations into all allegations within Police Scotland, describing the crimes as reprehensible.
Details revealed during Petrie's trial at the High Court in Glasgow indicated that he targeted one victim while she slept and used controlling behavior, including making weight jibes and monitoring her food intake. He also reportedly warned her he would harm her if she left him.
Petrie's crimes against the second victim involved "lovebombing" after they met, followed by verbal abuse and physical aggression. He denied some of the charges, including putting his hands around the woman's throat.
Prosecutors described one incident where Petrie was found loitering outside a friend's home as "sinister." The court heard that Petrie had been promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2022.
It remains unclear why Petrie was not prosecuted at the time of his initial arrest in 2009. Following his conviction, Judge Alistair Watson told Petrie that the "gravity of the crimes committed cannot be overstated." Petrie was remanded in custody pending sentencing next month. Sources suggest his pension may be subject to removal by the Scottish Police Authority.