Eleven officers who have been convicted of crimes – including eight who have been violent towards women and girls – are still on the Police Scotland pay roll.
In a letter, external to the Scottish Parliament’s justice committee, Chief Constable Jo Farrell said there were other cases with “incontrovertible evidence” against officers, but they cannot be sacked quickly enough.
Farrell also said the £4.5m annual cost of the 80 officers who are currently suspended was down to “sluggish” conduct arrangements, as well as the time necessary for cases to go through courts.
She described the state of affairs as “intolerable” and called for a modernisation of the police conduct regime.
The revelation follows a number of high-profile cases of police officers who have been exposed as rapists this year alone.
Derek McNee, Campbell Petrie, Carmichael John Williamson and Cameron Ross have all been convicted and are no longer on the payroll.
Meanwhile, Alan Greer, who was named as a violent serial rapist by a investigation, took his own life in May after police raided his home.
It also emerged last month that 45 serving officers are currently suspended over allegations of violence against women and girls.