FIFTEEN police officers have been investigated for drugs offences including charges related to Class A substances, figures show.

Data obtained by the Evening Times through freedom of information laws shows four of those officers were charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971, from March 2016 to June 2019.

Of those, one officer resigned after being hauled before an inquiry over the use of cocaine while two other cases - one involving the same drug - are ongoing.

Another officer is facing disciplinary action over a drug that is categorised as ‘uknown’ in the data.

Another officer was reported to the procurator fiscal over the use or possession of Cannabis but no action was taken.

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Police Scotland did not give a breakdown of the force area or nature of the offence or whether offences happened on or off duty or the gender of the officers involved, citing Data Protecton laws.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speir said the “vast majority” of officers conducted themselves to the high standards expected by the public and said all reports of criminality amongst its officers were “robustly investigated.”

A report, published on Friday, revealed Police Scotland received 5,919 complaints in 2018-19 about officers.

The most common on‑duty allegation categories are Irregularity in Procedure, Incivility and Excessive Force.

Around 22% of complaints related to quality of service, for example lack of police presence or the time taken to respond to a call.

Between 1 April 2018 and 28 February 2019, the Police Standards Division assessed approximately 500 reports of alleged misconduct on the part of police officers.

In May, we revealed that 90 police officers, including 15 from Greater Glasgow, have been investigated for sexual offences both on and off duty over the past three years.

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Of the total, 16 officers have been charged and 36 officers are the subject of live investigations which have not yet concluded.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “The vast majority of our officers conduct themselves to the high standards expected of them.

“Reports of criminality involving officers are robustly investigated and where there is evidence of criminality, a report is made to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

“On conclusion of any criminal proceedings, a report is made to the Deputy Chief Constable for consideration of misconduct proceedings.”