Campaigners are right to be concerned after a number of police officers were convicted of attacks on women. Policing by consent means officers derive their power from the approval and cooperation of the public. For that reason, it is vital that women feel they can trust officers, especially those who are potentially vulnerable and looking for protection from abusive partners.
Recent Cases Undermine Trust
It goes without saying that the majority of serving cops are doing a difficult job to the very best of their abilities. But that means when individuals are found to have broken the law, examples must be made. Two recent cases will have shaken the confidence of victims. Cameron Ross was last month jailed for 10 years after he raped two women and carried out a campaign of domestic abuse against a third while in the force. The 39-year-old was suspended from duty in 2022 and resigned earlier this month having reached the rank of sergeant. And Scott Ritchie was last week found guilty of subjecting a former girlfriend to a five-year campaign of abuse. A court was told PC Ritchie wanted to control almost every aspect of his victim's life. The 36-year-old would accuse the nurse of cheating and repeatedly turned up at her door uninvited. There are more cases which have gone through the courts in recent months.
Zero Tolerance Approach Needed
Police Scotland must take a zero tolerance approach when it comes to such individuals. The constabulary must reassure victims it is on their side. The deaths of women like Amen Teklay highlight the tragic consequences of domestic abuse, and his family deserve space to grieve. However, the neighbourhood where he was killed has recently seen a surge in gang activity led by teenage boys. Videos shared online show a number of sinister clips soundtracked with ultra-violent drill hip-hop music and filmed near the Kingsway flats in the Knightswood district of Glasgow. These disturbing images show hoods with their faces covered and sometimes holding weapons, boasting about their wins and losses.
Drill Music and Violence
Drill music has become the favoured genre of wannabe gangsters – many of them still of school age – as it has a reputation for being used to brag about settling scores and inflicting violence. But given the number of young men killed on Scotland's streets, these sick boasts on video should not be tolerated by social media giants – they should be removed. Glorifying violence too often leads to blood being spilled for real.
