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A police officer who was previously at the centre of a misconduct probe over claims he and a colleague branded road police “traffic Nazis” has died after he was hit by a train.

Tragic Martin Mooney, who was based in Stirling, was struck by the train on Monday morning between Dunblane and Stirling.

Martin, 40, was on desk duties following an investigation earlier this year after banter between uniformed officers and traffic police “went too far”.

It’s understood Martin, a dad-of-three young boys, was suspended by police chiefs on Friday over a separate incident relating to accessing police systems not related to his job.

(Image: Reach Plc)

A police source said: “The first misconduct into Martin and a colleague was just silly. It was just banter between them and someone took offence and complained so Martin and his colleague were put on restricted duties which meant they could only do minor work like parking tickets and weren’t involved in response policing or out on the beat.

“Martin found this very difficult as he was always a very active dedicated police officer who also helped to arrange force open days in Forth Valley with other emergency services.”

The source added: “On Friday last week he was suspended out of the blue. It’s not connected to the misconduct hearing and nobody knows why. The whole situation is tragic. This appears to have been handled very badly by Police Scotland.”

The incident with the traffic officers started in May 2018 when a swastika was drawn on a napkin which was then handed to one of the traffic cops who reported it to police chiefs.

The uniformed officers had taken to calling their traffic colleagues “traffic Nazis” and had been asked to stop when someone drew the symbol on a napkin at a takeaway frequented by the road cops.

The source said: “As soon as the complaint went in that was it, two of them were put on restricted while it was investigated. It wasn’t a criminal investigation but an internal disciplinary investigation.

“Martin was a lovely big guy and it’s heartbreaking to think about what has happened.”

A friend of Martin’s said: “We are all stunned beyond belief. He seemed one of the strongest people I know. He had a lovely family with his three boys and was still really close to his former wife who he has two boys with and his current partner, Faye, who has their two-year-old son.

“Everyone is devastated and shocked and we can’t quite take it in just yet.”

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “We can confirm a serving police officer has passed away following an incident in the vicinity of Stirling train station on Monday, 29 October, 2019.

“Our thoughts are with the officer’s family and his colleagues at this tragic time and we will continue to support their welfare.

“The officer was suspended on Friday, 25 October, 2019, in connection with allegations of accessing police systems for a non-policing purpose.

“The decision to suspend an officer is only taken after careful consideration and with a focus on public protection. In these cases officers are provided with guidance and advice to access round the clock support.

“We will continue to assist British Transport Police in its investigation into the officer’s death.”

A British Transport Police spokesman said: “Officers were called to the line in Stirling at 10.12am on 28 October, following a report of a casualty on the tracks.

“Paramedics also attended however a man in his forties was pronounced dead at the scene. His family have been informed.

“This incident is not currently being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the Procurator Fiscal.”