A police officer who subjected three female colleagues to ‘appalling’ language and behaviour while on duty has dodged jail.
Peter Fleming, 41, made sexual remarks towards the women while he was serving in Rothesay, Isle of Bute.
He was on uniform duty when a male member of the public used sexualised behaviours and language towards his colleague in May 2023.
Fleming, of the island, later described the man’s actions as ‘banter’ before instigating a conversation about sex in the marked police vehicle.
He made further comments to the woman at Rothesay police office by telling her she could ‘tie herself up and dress like a schoolgirl’.
The woman was left feeling ‘physically sick’ and later messaged a colleague, saying: ‘I sat here so I wasn’t in Fleming’s line of sight.’
After Fleming’s behaviour was reported to supervisors the case was referred to Police Scotland’s professional standards department.
Another woman, who was seen crying while working alongside Fleming in 2022, was contacted and informed of the ongoing investigation.
Peter Fleming, 41, made sexual remarks towards women while he was serving in Rothesay, Isle of Bute
She immediately became upset and asked: ‘Is this about Peter Fleming?’
The woman recalled him driving a marked police vehicle to ‘secluded’ areas of Bute and telling her he had had sex while on duty in the locations.
A statement was also obtained from a third woman who worked with him in 2021.
She said he made a comment about her body at Rothesay police office and felt he was ‘testing the water’ although she did not report the matter.
Fleming, who has resigned from the force, appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court last month and admitted three charges of communicating indecently with women by engaging them in conversations of a sexual nature between February 2021 and May 2023.
He was sentenced yesterday and given a community payback order with two years of social work supervision and ordered to do 160 hours of unpaid work.
Fleming has also been placed on the sex offenders register for two years.
Sheriff James Varney had earlier told him: ‘In the cold light of day, I hope the narrative is absolutely shocking.
Fleming, who has resigned from the force, appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court (pictured)
‘You are right to drop your head in shame, because that type of behaviour is appalling.
‘It’s unacceptable, particularly in a professional environment.’
Chief Superintendent Helen Harrison, Professional Standards, said: ‘Peter Fleming’s actions go against everything Police Scotland stands for.
‘It is right that policing is held to high standards at all times, and we will always support officers and staff acting with our values and standards at heart.
‘The onus is on policing to build and maintain public confidence and consent which is critical in our ability to keep our communities and citizens safe.
‘Communicating indecently is never acceptable in society, no matter what position you hold, and these crimes will always be fully investigated.’