A former Police Scotland officer has been found guilty of a serious pattern of sexual violence committed over nearly two decades. Campbell Petrie, aged 50, received guilty verdicts on nine charges at the High Court in Glasgow following a trial that examined offences occurring between 2006 and 2023.
The charges against Petrie encompassed two counts of rape alongside multiple counts of indecent assault, assault with intent to rape, and assault causing injury and danger to life. He held the rank of serving police officer throughout the period when these crimes were perpetrated.
Timeline of arrest and suspension
Police Scotland took action in December 2023 when Petrie was arrested and charged with the offences. He was immediately suspended from active duty following his arrest. The force later confirmed that Petrie chose to retire from the service in December 2024, approximately one year after his suspension began. He currently remains in custody awaiting sentencing, which is scheduled to take place the following month.
Police response and accountability measures
Detective Superintendent Adam Brown, leading the public protection unit at Police Scotland, issued a statement acknowledging the ordeal faced by those affected.
Our thoughts are very much with the victims in this case and I commend their strength in reporting these crimes and bringing Campbell Petrie to justice.
Brown emphasised the particular barriers that victims encounter when reporting crimes committed by law enforcement personnel.
I want to reassure the public we will identify and investigate these officers whether they are serving or retired, or whether their crimes are committed on duty or, as in this instance, off duty.He concluded by stating that
Petrie will now face the consequences of his actions.
Broader pattern of abuse within policing
The Petrie case reflects a troubling pattern of sexual violence perpetrated by police officers. An investigation revealed that another officer, PC Alan Greer, operated as a serial rapist across a minimum 14-year span, targeting women throughout his police career. One documented victim was a woman whom Greer raped in her Glasgow home in 2012 after she had contacted police to report being victimised by crime. Greer's offending extended to contact with hundreds of sex workers during his years in uniform. In May 2026, Greer died by suicide just days after a police search of his residence as part of the investigation into his criminal conduct.
What happens next
Petrie faces sentencing in the coming month, where the court will determine the length and conditions of his custodial sentence. Police Scotland has committed to continuing investigations into officers, whether currently serving or retired, who commit sexual offences either during or outside their official duties.
