A senior firearms officer is under investigation after he passed his weapon around trainees on the force’s college grounds.
Acting Inspector David Acheson MBE, who was an operational firearms commander, is facing the probe amid fears someone could have been shot accidentally.
It is understood he went to Tullialan unannounced and showed a group of probationers his kit, which included unloading his firearm and passing it around.
Police Scotland’s Professional Standards Department have launched an investigation into the conduct of Acting Inspector David Acheson MBE
The incident was caught on his body camera and Acheson permanently withdrew himself from the firearms department.
But Professional Standards have now launched an investigation into his conduct over concerns about a serious breach of protocol.
Acheson is also a Trustee and Secretary of the Police Remembrance Trust and was awarded an MBE in 2016 for his role within the charity.
Sources said the officer did not have another experienced officer witness him load and unload the weapon, breaching a raft of health and safety regulations.
The source said: ‘Acheson went to the police college at Tulliallan and showed the probationers his kit and unloaded himself and passed the pistol about. This is mega dangerous as there is a risk of unintentional discharge. This was negligent on his part and is not only a breach of protocol but also Health and Safety. It’s being investigated as misconduct. It’s all been very hush hush as Acheson is considered “police royalty” due to his MBE.’
The source said Acheson was formerly part of Close Protection and was the Operational Firearms Commander the day he decided to go the police college.
He said: ‘He took it upon himself to do that. It was unbelievably stupid and a crazy thing to do. There could have been serious consequences to his actions. All firearms officers know from day one not to pass a weapon around. You load and unload with corroboration to avoid any accidents.’
His biography on the Police Remembrance Trust website states: ‘David is a serving Inspector with Police Scotland. His uncle, Kenneth Acheson, was an officer in the Royal Ulster Constabulary GC until he was murdered by terrorists. David designed the PC Bill Barker memorial pin badge which raised thousands for Bill’s favourite charity the Great North Air Ambulance. He authored the Scottish Police Roll of Honour book on behalf of the Trust.
‘David was appointed as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2016 New Year Honours, later in the same year he was elected as a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland for his work on Police history in Scotland.
‘David was the first Secretary of the Trust since it’s Incorporation by Royal Charter in 2018.’
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘A matter has been referred to our Professional Standards Department and is under review.’
