A police officer who tried to pressure a junior colleague into sex at a force HQ is still being paid despite being placed on the sex offenders register last week.
David McQuade was ordered to pay his female victim £5000 compensation and do 200 hours of community service following the 2022 attack. The long-serving officer, 52, was sentenced at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court last week and will be on the register for five years.
Despite the conclusion of criminal proceedings, McQuade is still being paid by the force and remains suspended. Scottish Conservative victims spokeswoman Sharon Dowey called for victims to be the priority – not their abusers.
She said: “The public will be appalled that this officer has continued to pick up his pay cheque, especially now he has been convicted. At a time when SNP cuts are continuing to hit police budgets, these payments will have been a drain on resources.
“The Nationalists’ police complaints system has failed the public and vast majority of good officers for too long. It is critical that newly-enacted legislation ensures that this sort of situation does not happen again and guarantees victims will be a priority.”
Scottish Labour’s Pauline McNeill said: “It is vital that police officers uphold the highest standards and process to remove those who commit serious offences such as sexual assault must be completed as a matter of urgency. While there are processes to follow, action must be taken as quickly as possible in order to protect the public purse and maintain public trust.”
McQuade attacked his colleague in October 2022 at Fife Division headquarters in Glenrothes. He tried to pressure her into having sex with him, repeatedly kissed her on her face and neck, touched her on the body and tried to undo her trousers.
He was suspended and has continued to take his £48,000-a-year salary since, taking home more than £100,000 in taxpayers’ cash since the assault.
Chief Superintendent Helen Harrison, head of professional standards, praised his victim for coming forward and added: “Their pursuit of justice reflects their integrity to do the right thing.”
She confirmed the case would be referred for consideration of misconduct proceedings and said: “David McQuade’s conduct falls way below the standards of professional behaviour expected of everyone who works in policing.”
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