POLICE Scotland have paid out more than £11 million since 2021 to settle complaints, new figures reveal.
Between April 2021 and October 2024, the force reportedly paid out more than £6.4m in employer liability claims made by 134 officers and staff.
The second highest sum was £2.4m for 625 motor liability claims over traffic incidents involving police officers.
From 2021 to 2022, Police Scotland settled 99 claims for a range of incidents costing a total of £267,519. This figure skyrocketed to £928,089 in 2023 to 2024 for 150 cases.
This financial year has seen Police Scotland settle 151 cases at the cost of £582,926.
Public liability claims, wherein legal action is taken due to negligence, costed the public purse £2.34m, which included £66,527 for miscellaneous public liability claims.
The figures include the nearly £1m pay-out to former firearm officer Rhona Malone's employer liability claim that saw her awarded a pay-out of nearly £1m over gender discrimination and bullying claims.
The information was revealed in a Freedom of Information request by the Scottish Daily Mail, showing that since 2021 Police Scotland paid out £11,262,461 to settle grievances.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Compensation payments are dealt with on a case by-case basis with a view to securing best value for the public purse."
Pauline McNeill, Scottish Labour's Justice Spokesperson, said: "These figures are a reminder of the importance of getting policing right first time - not only will victims and communities benefit but it's more sustainable for the taxpayer too.
"Scottish Labour supports a return to community policing and the roll out of body cameras so that police feel fully supported in what can be a challenging job while the public can trust the police to be there when they are needed."
