DCI’s birthday cake comments cost her three ranks in ‘unusual’ demotion punishment

A detective chief inspector has been demoted three ranks after allegedly making sectarian remarks to a colleague. Police Scotland’s Ruth Gilfillan has been reduced to the rank of constable following an internal inquiry. It is alleged that in 2015, she made offensive comments regarding another officer’s Celtic birthday cake. The case was passed to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service which decided there was insufficient evidence to begin criminal proceedings. However, it was referred back to Police Scotland for potential disciplinary action. The ruling will mean the 45-year-old, who was head of the force’s human trafficking unit at the time, will see a reduction in her £55,000 salary and she may miss out on up to £100,000 in pension payments. The Scottish Police Federation is appealing the decision. Graeme Pearson, former head of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, said: “The penalty is very unusual and reflects the attitudes the Police Scotland Executive has towards such incidents. “This will show that the force is taking these matters very seriously.” A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “This matter remains a live internal conduct process and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”