DOZENS of Scots police officers have been arrested for domestic abuse offences over the past two years, figures show.

Data obtained by The Herald shows 31 officers were investigated for emotional or physical abuse towards a partner over a period of 28 months - more than one a month. 

Of those investigated, 27  were charged by Police Scotland.

The data covers arrests from January 1 2019 to April 27 this year, taking in successive lockdowns, a time when offences are said to have escalated.

Experts said victims of police crimes can experience added difficulties in reporting crimes. A major  published in 2018 by the The Bureau of Investigative Journalism found police partner abusers had exploited their position to avoid arrest.

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Women reported that their alleged abusers stalked them in marked cars, or warned them there was no point going to the police because the force was “a family.”

Some were too scared to ever report it while others said they felt that their partners’ colleagues failed to adequately follow up on serious allegations and that they were discouraged from making statements. 

Dr Mairead Tagg, a clinical psychologist who worked for Glasgow East Women’s Aid for 19 years, said she had worked with several women who had suffered abuse from police officer partners.

“I remember one woman who was told if she tried to pursue it, she would be the one being arrested,” she said.

“I think it’s very very difficult indeed for these women. It’s difficult when your husband is a police officer, to phone up his colleagues.

"Part of the way that police training happens is that police are encouraged to make close bonds with each other, to support each other in all sorts of difficult situations.

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“I don’t condone their behaviour but I totally understand it. I think now there is less of that happening as we become more knowledgeable about domestic abuse and the impact that it has.

“I think the majority of police officers would reluctantly do their duty or wouldn’t care who it is but there are certainly some whose integrity is compromised because it’s a colleague and perhaps a friend.

Figures from 2016-2018 covering England and Wales show just 3.9% in  ended in a conviction, compared with 6.2% among the general population.

Dr Tagg said: “Police offers are considered bastions of the law. It can leave women in a very difficult position - having to prove more than you would expect.

“People who join the police, they are quite into power and control - and I don’t necessarily mean that in a negative way - but some may think they have the right to control their partner.

She added: “While the overwhelming majority do their job properly, there are some whose attitudes and behaviour renders them completely unsuitable to be police officers.”

Previous data shows police officers and staff across the UK were reported for alleged domestic abuse almost 700 times in the three years up to April 2018 - more than four times a week on average. 

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Chief Superintendent Andy McDowall said: “Investigating reports of domestic abuse is a priority for us, and all reports are treated seriously and investigated thoroughly, irrespective of who the offender is. 

“At the conclusion of criminal proceedings against a police officer, the circumstances are assessed by our Professional Standards Department for consideration of further action. 

“The vast majority of our officers and staff conduct themselves in line with our values of integrity, fairness, respect and with a commitment to upholding human rights.

"When conduct falls below our high standards of professional behaviour, we will take appropriate action.”