Suspended Police Scotland Deputy Chief Works in England Amid Bullying Probe
A senior Police Scotland officer, suspended over bullying allegations, is currently working for a policing body in England while remaining on the Scottish force's payroll, an investigation has revealed. Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors, who earns an annual salary of £213,394, faces multiple claims regarding her management style, yet she has been assigned to a role with the London-based National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC).
Relocation Expenses and Ongoing Investigation
Ms. Connors, formerly of the Metropolitan Police, received taxpayer-funded relocation expenses exceeding £112,000 to facilitate her move when she joined Police Scotland. Despite being the subject of a bullying investigation by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), her suspension was lifted to allow her to work for the NPCC. She is now involved in developing plans for mounted, marine, and specialist dog services across England and Wales.
Regulations stipulate that police forces must find work for suspended officers where possible, provided it does not conflict with ongoing conduct probes. In this case, it was deemed appropriate for Ms. Connors to work south of the border to avoid interaction with her accusers. An NPCC spokesperson confirmed her attachment, stating she will coordinate business cases and change plans for specialized services.
Concerns Over Accountability and Public Perception
Martin Gallagher, a former Police Scotland superintendent, expressed deep concern, noting the irony of a senior officer under suspension for serious allegations contributing to the UK's strategic policing approach. He questioned how other suspended officers, left at home without duties, might perceive this arrangement. One police source remarked that the situation has "raised a lot of eyebrows," given the ongoing probe.
Scottish Tory community and safety spokesman Sharon Dowey criticized the move, calling it "staggering" that an officer facing serious bullying allegations could be quietly relocated while an investigation is pending. She highlighted a pattern of weak accountability under the SNP and questioned the rationale behind spending over £100,000 on relocation only for such concerns to emerge later.
Historical Context and Financial Details
This incident echoes past controversies, such as the 2018 resignation of then-Chief Constable Phil Gormley amid bullying allegations. Ms. Connors' relocation expenses, initially reported as £61,889 for 2023/24, rose to £112,526 when tax costs were included, according to the latest Scottish Police Authority (SPA) accounts. With over 30 years of service between the Met and Police Scotland, she has a background in coordinating complex events and leading initiatives like the response to Violence against Women & Girls.
A PIRC spokesman confirmed receiving a referral from the SPA on December 8, 2025, regarding the conduct of a senior officer, with an investigation ongoing and a report to be issued in due course. Police Scotland referred inquiries to the SPA, which confirmed Ms. Connors' redeployment to the NPCC, emphasizing that suspension is a last resort and alternatives like redeployment are reviewed to ensure investigation integrity and public interest.
