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A former police sergeant, Campbell Petrie, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of multiple sexual offenses, including the rape of two women. His crimes spanned a 17-year period in Glasgow, ranging from 2006 to 2023, and involved a total of eight charges related to physical and sexual abuse. Following his release, Petrie will be subject to three additional years of supervised monitoring within the community.
Petrie strongly denied the accusations against him throughout the legal proceedings. His conviction forms part of a wider exposure of police officers involved in serious sexual crimes; notably, Petrie is one of four serving or former officers from Police Scotland uncovered as rapists within the past five months. Investigations have also revealed that 45 officers are currently suspended amid allegations of violence against women and girls.
The initial allegations against Petrie surfaced in 2009 when one woman accused him of threatening behavior, though authorities lacked sufficient evidence to proceed further at that time. It was only in 2023, after a second woman came forward with accusations of rape, that a specialized sexual crimes unit launched a thorough inquiry. Petrie was arrested and suspended in December 2023, subsequently retiring from the force two years later. The High Court in Glasgow found him guilty in September 2024 of eight charges including four counts of rape and other serious assaults.
During sentencing, Judge Alistair Watson stressed the severity and ongoing nature of Petrie’s offenses, acknowledging the courage demonstrated by the victims throughout the trial. The judge remarked on the enduring trauma the women continue to endure as a result of Petrie’s actions and expressed hope that the conclusion of the court case would aid their recovery process. Petrie was added to the sex offenders register and was deemed a continuing risk to public safety, especially to women he may encounter. Additionally, the court issued indefinite non-harassment orders prohibiting any contact with the victims and requiring Petrie to maintain a 100-meter distance from places he believes they might be.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs condemned Petrie’s conduct as “severely abusive, exploitative and violent,” contrasting it with the professionalism of the officers who led the investigation. He praised the victims for their bravery in coming forward and affirmed the police commitment to supporting victims and ensuring accountability, regardless of the offender’s position. Following a thorough national review of police personnel records in 2023, known as the “historic data wash,” no prior undisclosed information was found relating to Petrie. Meanwhile, Police Scotland is actively vetting around 8,000 officers and staff, focusing on experienced officers and those working with vulnerable groups, in efforts to prevent future abuses
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