Former Police Scotland sergeant Campbell Petrie has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for raping two women over a 17-year period between 2006 and 2023. Petrie was found guilty of eight charges, including four counts of rape, at the High Court in Glasgow in September. The judge cited the “serious and persistent” nature of the crimes and acknowledged the “remarkable courage” of the victims, who described enduring psychological trauma.
The case revealed Petrie was initially arrested in 2009 following a complaint of threatening behaviour, but no further action was taken due to a lack of evidence. A second rape accusation in 2023 led to his arrest, suspension, and eventual retirement from the force before the guilty verdict. He will be supervised for three years after his release and placed on the sex offenders register, deemed a risk of “significant harm to the public, particularly women.”
This sentencing comes amid scrutiny of Police Scotland, with four serving or former officers exposed as rapists in the last five months and 45 currently suspended over allegations of violence against women and girls. Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs stated Petrie’s actions were “in stark contrast to the professionalism and commitment of the officers who investigated him.” The BBC reported Petrie made no reaction when led from the dock.
Left-leaning outlets highlighted the broader context of allegations against Police Scotland officers and the initial lack of action in the 2009 arrest. Sky News focused on the details of the sentencing and the severity of Petrie’s crimes. Not in dispute is that Petrie committed a series of violent and exploitative crimes against two women over a prolonged period.
The question of why Petrie was not prosecuted following the initial 2009 complaint remains unanswered, and the extent to which systemic issues within Police Scotland contributed to the delay in bringing him to justice is unclear.
Our reading is that this case is not isolated, but part of a pattern of failures within Police Scotland to adequately vet and address misconduct by its officers. The article highlights a disturbing recurrence of sexual offenses committed by serving or former officers, coupled with instances of initial complaints not leading to prosecution. The differing media focus, one on the individual crimes, the other on the systemic issues, suggests a broader debate about accountability and the culture within the force.
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