Coronavirus / Police chief ‘extremely disappointed’ after serving officers fined for attending Lerwick house gathering
SERVING police officers were among six people who were fined for gathering in a house in Lerwick on Friday while socialising in homes was still banned, Shetland News can reveal.
Superintendent Maggie Pettigrew said it was “extremely disappointing” and added that the officers in question have been “reminded of their responsibility to set an example to others”.
Police confirmed that officers were called to a report of a gathering in breach of coronavirus regulations within a property in Russell Crescent at around 6.15pm on Friday (14 May).
Six people were issued with fixed penalty notices – including a small number of people employed as police officers – and the gathering was dispersed.
Superintendent Pettigrew said the officers’ actions have undermined the effort the local community has put into keeping to coronavirus guidelines.
Police are tasked with enforcing coronavirus legislation and restrictions.
“The vast majority of people in Shetland have been sticking to the rules to suppress the spread of coronavirus and I would like to thank our community for this,” Pettigrew said.
“It is extremely disappointing that a small number of police officers were involved in a gathering in breach of the regulations on Friday, 14 May.
“Their actions undermine the sacrifices you have all have made in the last year and I appreciate many of you will be upset about this incident.
“They have been given fixed penalty notices and reminded of their responsibility to set an example to others.”
On Friday Shetland was still under level three restrictions, which did not allow people to socialise in homes.
Three days later Shetland was dropped to level one, which allows a maximum of six people from up to three households to meet up in homes.
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