Arrest of man with cancer sparks major police abuse inquiry

Police officers are being hauled over the coals about the treatment of a prisoner allegedly abused in custody.

As many as 20 police workers are embroiled in a mass disciplinary procedure amid claims they were physically and verbally abusive to a man being held at Stewart Street police station, Glasgow.

It is claimed the 21-year-old man being held was abusive to officers. A report regarding him has been sent to the procurator fiscal.

However The Sunday Post can reveal a behind-closed-doors disciplinary hearing into the alleged abuse on the part of the Police Scotland employees has heard that

The man being held was allegedly suffering from a medical condition secondary brain cancer which might have caused him to swear more than he normally would.

Up to 20 police and civilian workers are embroiled in the hearing, making it one of the largest disciplinary hearings in the fledgling force’s short history.

Officers were said to have been physically and verbally abusive to the man during a 36-hour period after his arrest.

One Police Scotland worker is alleged to have threatened to post footage of the man in a distressed state on the internet, which would have been a clear abuse of police operating procedure.

Last night a Police Scotland insider said the high-level inquiry into the matter is ongoing. A number of meetings have already taken place at the former Strathclyde HQ in Pitt Street, Glasgow, and anyone found guilty of breaking the rules could face the long arm of the law themselves.

“If there have been any failings, then they will be dealt with,” our source said.

The man was arrested last February in Pollok, Glasgow, and taken to the busy inner city station. But the details have only come to light now as a result of the disciplinary procedure.

Police Scotland top brass ordered a review after receiving a complaint from a member of the public who witnessed the arrest. The investigation was widened to include the man’s treatment while being held at the station, resulting in the mass disciplinary hearing.

Station CCTV footage and audio recordings, seized as part of the probe, are likely to form a key part of the inquiry.

“Disciplinary proceedings are at an advanced stage and the procurator fiscal is considering if charges should be brought,” our insider added. “One of the central claims is the male was subjected to taunts concerning his mental health and that footage of him in a distressed state would be filmed and posted on the internet.”

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland confirmed the large-scale inquiry is under way.

She confirmed: “There are disciplinary proceedings currently ongoing into the conduct of officers and staff following the arrest”.

The Scottish Police Federation, which provides support to officers, also confirmed it was aware of the probe. Unison, which represents civilian police workers, did not provide a statement.

The Crown Office said the arrest took place last year. Prosecutors have been asked to consider charges against the 21-year-old in relation to the circumstances surrounding his arrest.

A spokesman said: “The procurator fiscal has received a report concerning an alleged incident on February 18, 2014.

“The report remains under consideration by the national Criminal Allegations Against Police Division of COPFS, which independently investigates all criminal allegations made against police officers in Scotland acting in the course of their duty.”

John Scott, QC, the chair of pressure group Justice Scotland, said access to medical assistance was an important safeguard for people held in police detention.

He said: “Vulnerable detained people should also routinely be provided with the support of an independent and appropriate person.

“We look forward to the speedy introduction of this statutory duty, contained in the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill, currently delayed for Government to consider abolition of the corroboration

rule.”