Cash Cop-Outs Could Be Axed

Mar 2 2008 By Marion Scott

POLICE may no longer be able to leave with a full pension while facing disciplinary action.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill is considering stopping them retiring to avoid being sacked.

His move follows an appeal by the family of Wick harbour victim Kevin McLeod, 24, who died 11 years ago.

Northern Constabulary were rapped over their investigation of Kevin's death, which his family believe was murder.

Deputy Chief Constable Keith Cullen retired without losing any financial rights days before facing a police board hearing on misconduct charges.

In a letter to the family's MP, John Thurso, MacAskill said: "An exercise to update police conduct rules has been underway for some time."

During the probe into Kevin's death, three other senior officers retired.

Last week we revealed Northern Constabulary Chief Constable Ian Latimer, who has been forced to apologise to the McLeods, refused to ask an outside force to investigate the case.

A force spokesman said there was "no comment" on the latest development.

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