A Fife police officer at the centre of the Sheku Bayoh death probe has been given round-the-clock protection, it has been claimed.
A number of uniformed police patrols have allegedly taken place in the area of Kirkcaldy where PC Alan Paton lives.
The 44-year-old was one of up to nine officers who restrained Mr Bayoh on May 3 2015 before he died in hospital short time later while still in police custody.
A relative of Mr Paton, who is currently on paid leave from the force, later claimed his brother-in-law was racist — a suggestion the police officer strongly denies.
One resident on the quiet street, who asked not to be named, said: “I live near his house and there are marked cars driving by four or five times a day, every day.
“This is a quiet cul-de-sac and the only reason the police are here is to check on his house.
“As far as I know, there has never been any crime there so what exactly is it they are looking for?”
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Questions have also been raised by Mid Scotland and Fife Labour MSP Claire Baker and the Bayoh’s family lawyer Aamer Anwar.
Mrs Baker said: “The police have a duty to protect all citizens and any increased activity must be as a result of robust intelligence.
“Continued checks on one officer’s address every few hours will raise questions about appropriate use of police resources.
“These must be answered.”
Mr Anwar added: “It’s been three years since Sheku’s death and Mr Paton remains off work on full pay.
“Sheku’s loved ones are still fighting for answers and how their son, brother or partner died and are disgusted that, while they struggle with life on a daily basis, Mr Paton would appear to have round-the-clock police protection.
“I think people quite rightly would ask why he needs such protection, how much this is costing Police Scotland and would patrols not be better doing more useful work?”
The trainee gas engineer’s family are still reeling after discovering the Crown Office had decided that no officers involved in the incident would be prosecuted.
A fatal accident enquiry will be held at a later date.
Sheku died after being detained by police who were called to the scene on Hayfield Road amid reports of a man armed with a knife which was never found on him.
A post mortem revealed he had drugs in his system and had suffered more than 20 facial cuts and bruises, a fractured rib, gazing on his chest and petechial haemorrhages.
Police Scotland said it was unable to comment on the uniformed patrols.
