Police Scotland chief superintendent charged over 'disturbance' in Airdrie

A high-ranking police chief has been charged in connection with a disturbance in North Lanarkshire.

Chief Superintendent Pat Campbell has been suspended by Police Scotland after officers responded to an incident at an address in Airdrie at around 1.35am on Sunday, April 20.

The 54-year-old was arrested and charged and has been released on an undertaking to appear at Airdrie Sheriff Court at a later date.

CS Campbell was previously the force’s executive lead for organised crime, counter-terrorism and intelligence, which also covers border policing, cyber crime and digital forensics.

In 2023, he was appointed the divisional commander and strategic lead for criminal justice, custody and transformational change across the criminal justice sector.

CS Campbell was the senior officer in charge of the investigation into Sheku Bayoh.

The 31-year-old died in police custody in Kirkcaldy in May 2015. An inquiry into his death is ongoing.

Mr Bayoh, a father-of-two, died after he was restrained on the ground by six police officers.

On Friday, Police Scotland confirmed CS Campbell had been suspended from the force.

A spokesperson said: “Around 1.35am on Sunday, April 20, 2025, police attended an address in Airdrie following a report of a disturbance.

“A 54-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection.

“He has been released on an undertaking to appear at Airdrie Sheriff Court at a later date.

“A report will be prepared for the Procurator Fiscal.”

A spokesperson for the Crown Office said: “We have received a report for the named individual which is currently under consideration.

“There are no dates or forum decided and it should be noted that the case is active for the purposes of contempt.”