Two police officers are facing a misconduct probe over claims they branded colleagues in the road policing division “traffic Nazis”.
It is understood banter between the uniformed officers and road traffic cops in Stirlingshire went too far for police chiefs.
And things came to head when a swastika was drawn on a napkin which was then handed to one of the traffic cops in May last year.
They reported their colleagues to police chiefs – and an inquiry was launched.
Road traffic officers regularly visit police stations in Stirlingshire in the course of routine patrols in the picturesque Trossachs, an area popular with tourists.
It is understood the traffic cops were known to frequent a takeaway and it was there that things came to a head with the swastika on the napkin.
Police Scotland confirmed they have launched a probe and put two officers on “restricted duties”.
A source close to the investigation said: “There was regular banter between uniformed officers and traffic cops. The uniformed officers started calling them ‘traffic Nazis’.
“They had been asked to stop but for some reason someone thought it appropriate to scrawl a swastika on a napkin at a takeaway where the traffic police get their breakfast. They were furious and complained to their bosses. Two uniformed officers have now been benched while an investigation is carried out.”
Police chiefs can put officers on restricted duties when a disciplinary process is ongoing.
The sanction can mean an officer not doing a variety of routine duties, including dealing with the public.
One police source, who asked not to be named, said: “There may be occasions when you don’t want to suspend someone because you want to get some work out of them so by putting restrictions on them you can say to them they’re doing parking tickets in a back office.”
MSP Dean Lockhart, who represents the mid Scotland region in the Scottish Parliament, said: “The vast majority of officers across the Stirling area, and throughout Scotland, act with the professionalism the public expect.
“If the internal investigation was to conclude that the officers involved in this incident did act in a way which breaches these high standards then I would expect Police Scotland to take the necessary disciplinary action.
“There is no place for hate speech or discrimination of any kind in Scotland, and any instances should be treated with the seriousness they deserve.”
Richard Johnson, chairman of Callander Community Council, said: “If there’s any truth in it I would be appalled. It’s disgraceful.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We are conducting an internal investigation following an allegation of misconduct in the Stirling area in May 2018.
“Two police officers have been placed on restricted duties and inquiries remain ongoing.”
It is understood it is not a criminal investigation being undertaken by Police Scotland.
David Hamilton, vice-chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file bobbies, declined to comment.
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe