Real police chief complains about TV spoof Scot Squad

The creator of hit comedy Scot Squad has told how Police Scotland’s chief constable contacted the show to complain.

Joe Hullait, who writes the spoof documentary about a fictional force, had the show’s police chief Cameron Miekelson – played by Jack Docherty – saying he backed women in top jobs…apart from his own.

But, he said, Police Scotland chief Iain Livingstone got in touch to say the storyline wasn’t an accurate portrayal of Police Scotland’s recruitment policy. Mr Hullait said: “I found that a bit unnerving. If he’s someone who expects accuracy in the depiction of police leadership then it begs the question why he’s never taken issue with any other story? Does this mean we’re getting the rest of it correct?”

Scot Squad has returned to TV for a sixth series after filming was disrupted by Covid. But the six-month delay caused continuity issues after actor Darren Connell, who plays Bobby, went on a health kick during lockdown and lost weight.

Mr Hullait added: “Unfortunately for our costume designer, he’d begun filming in that first part of the shoot, so it meant a lot of adjustments to his clothes. She’s done a great job as has the make-up designer because the difference is barely noticeable. Which is good. We don’t want Bobby to be too sexy or it will get weird.”