Police Scotland assistant chief constable Wayne Mawson cleared over gross misconduct allegation

One of Scotland’s most senior police officers will not face misconduct proceedings after an investigation into an allegation he cheated on an elite command course found he has “no case to answer”.

Assistant chief constable Wayne Mawson was last April accused of passing off the work of an officer under his command as his own in an effort to gain a qualification needed for his post.

Civilian oversight body the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) considered whether the allegation made against Mawson should progress to a formal misconduct hearing with the Police and Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) also asked to investigate.

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The Authority’s Complaint and Conduct Committee has now decided that the assistant chief constable has no case to answer and as such the case is considered closed.

Mawson remained an assistant chief constable for local policing while the allegation was being probed, though he was shifted to so-called special projects with former Edinburgh City local police commander Mark Williams taking responsibility for the west of Scotland.

The SPA said it now expects Mawson to be “deployed to a substantive ACC post as soon as possible”, however Police Scotland intimated he will not immediately be given back his original brief.

The allegation, which was made anonymously via Police Scotland’s internal whistleblowing system, related to Mawson’s attendance at the Strategic Command Course (SCC) in Sunningdale, Berkshire, last year.

“Following thorough consideration, and independent investigation by the Police and Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), of the allegation made against ACC Wayne Mawson, the SPA’s Complaint and Conduct Committee met in April 2016 and determined that ACC Mawson has no case to answer in respect of misconduct or gross misconduct.

“The SPA is satisfied that this matter has been appropriately considered and will take no further action.”

Asked about Mawson’s deployment following the probe, an SPA spokeswoman added: “This is a matter for Police Scotland. However the SPA expects him to be deployed to a substantive ACC post as soon as possible.”

The Authority handles all non-criminal complaints against Scotland’s most senior police officers, albeit under regulations it is compelled to refer to PIRC if it is deemed that an allegation, if substantiated, may amount to misconduct or gross misconduct.

The Commissioner assessed that the conduct which was the subject of the allegation would, if proved, amount to gross misconduct. However, after carrying out its own investigation PIRC submitted a report to the SPA that was considered earlier this month, leading the body to determine Mawson has no case to answer.

The Authority decided to take the unusual step of putting out a public statement on the matter - with the agreement of Mawson - after the allegation gained widespread press coverage last year.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We note and welcome the outcome of the SPA’s consideration of this matter. ACC Mawson will continue to serve the communities of Scotland in his role as a valued member of the Police Scotland executive team.

“ACC Mawson is currently engaged on work relating to organisational development and the Police Scotland budget. He continues to serve as a substantive Assistant Chief Constable and as a member of the Police Scotland command team.

“There is currently a recruitment process ongoing for assistant chief constables. Once this is complete, it is anticipated there will be changes within the cadre of assistant chief constables and any future deployment will be as part of that process.”