Former Police Scotland sergeant Campbell Petrie jailed for 12 years for rape and sex crimes

Campbell Petrie, a 50-year-old former Police Scotland sergeant, has been jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of a catalogue of sexual and physical crimes against two women. The offences took place in Glasgow over a 15-year period and included four counts of rape.

Petrie was a serving officer with Police Scotland at the time of the offences. One of his victims first made allegations against him in 2009, but he was released without charge and stayed in his job for another 14 years. He was suspended after his arrest in 2023 and retired two years later.

Before sentencing, the defence told the court that Petrie retains the support of his family and current partner. It also referred to the contribution he made during his years of service. The judge read victim impact statements from both women, who described the trauma they suffered at his hands and the deep, enduring psychological harm that still affects them. Petrie was then jailed for 12 years.

Police Scotland has described violence against women and girls as a national emergency. The case has also raised concerns that some of those responsible have been hiding within its own ranks. Petrie is the fourth serving or former Scottish officer to be exposed as a rapist this year. Other cases include:

• In May, Alan Grier took his own life after he was arrested. An investigation later established he was a serial sex offender with at least 14 victims.
• In July, former Constable Cameron Ross was jailed for 10 years for raping two women and abusing a third.
• The day before Petrie's sentencing, serving officer John Williamson was found guilty of raping a teenage girl and a woman in Shetland.

The four cases represent a fraction of Scotland's 16,500 police officers. The force is acutely aware of the damage these convictions will cause. Police Scotland said Petrie committed a series of severely abusive, exploitative and violent crimes towards women. It said his victims had shown great courage in reporting the matters and that thoughts were with them. Nine officers from his former force are currently suspended over allegations of sexual misconduct.