Criminal gangs are trying to infiltrate Scotland's police forces by exploiting a recent recruitment drive, a top anti-corruption officer said on Monday.
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Gall, head of Strathclyde Police's counter corruption unit, told STV News that there had been an increase in attempts by organised crime networks to penetrate the force.
Staff guidelines with advice on how to avoid making themselves vulnerable to the threat have been distributed across its departments today.
The document urges caution when using social networking sites such as Bebo and Facebook among other recommendations.
It is part of a crackdown by the counter corruption unit, which has seen a rise in its inquiries from 68 in 2001/2 to 340 in 2008/9.
DCI Gall told STV News: "It is a huge investment to put somebody within the organisation but clearly there is something there that would warrant them taking that big step and putting somebody within the service.
"If any organised crime group were to get access to our intelligence assets then that would be hugely damaging to the police service as a whole, but very beneficial to members of organised crime groups."
He added: "Their desire to protect their finances is so great now, they see opportunities within the huge recruitment drive within the service."
At the end of March there were a record 17,048 police officers employed in Scotland - an increase of 821 in 12 months.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the SNP Government was on track to fulfil its commitment to boosting officer numbers by 1,000 by 2011.
DCI Gall said the large number of new young recruits with less life experience were particularly vulnerable to corruption - something criminal gangs were seeking to exploit.
He insisted the Strathclyde force were not trying to ban officers from using social networking sites like Bebo and Facebook - but urged caution in what information they post.
DCI Gall added: "Of course we're not going to ask them not to use social networking sites but what we are saying to them is to be mindful of the private information that you place on these social network sites and be concious of the fact that you wouldn't reveal that private information were you to appear as a witness in court of law."
Last year 15 Strathclyde Police officers and staff members were reported on corruption charges. Of the 340 allegations made, just a quarter merited further investigation.
The figure also included "self-referrals", where officers reported concerns about the activities of an associate, DCI Gall said.
He added that the rise in cases is in part due to the pro-active approach by his team, formerly known as the professional standards unit.
He said: "If we can encourage our staff to come forward with concerns then that is highly beneficial. People are more willing to actively report their concerns."
