In a shocking display of misconduct, two police officers in Scotland have been handed custodial sentences for deliberately botching an investigation and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Connor Beggs, 32, and Kevin Montgomery, 35, were found guilty last month of failing to properly investigate a domestic assault incident in Inverclyde in 2021.
The pair falsified witness statements, entered false information into Police Scotland’s systems, and submitted a report to the procurator fiscal containing lies that implicated two innocent men. They failed to notify the control room of the domestic nature of the incident, neglected to take witness statements, and did not report the offenders to the procurator fiscal in a timely manner.
Sheriff Tom Ward, who presided over the case, described the officers’ actions as an “abject dereliction of duty” and an “egregious behaviour” that could only be dealt with through custodial sentences. Montgomery, who is still a serving officer, was jailed for nine months, while Beggs, who has since resigned from the force, received an eight-month sentence.
Police Scotland’s Chief Superintendent Helen Harrison condemned the officers’ actions, stating that they “go against everything Police Scotland stands for.” She emphasised that all officers are bound by the force’s standards of professional behaviour, both on and off duty, and that policing must be held to high standards at all times.
The case against Montgomery will now be assessed for misconduct under the conduct regulations, as the force seeks to maintain the integrity of the police service.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity within the police force. The public’s trust in law enforcement is paramount, and any breach of that trust must be met with swift and appropriate action to ensure accountability and restore confidence in the system.