Stripper arrested 22 times, no convictions

ABERDEEN, Scotland, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Scottish officials have criticized a police department after a male stripper was arrested 22 times -- but never convicted -- for impersonating a police officer.

The Grampian Police have spent nearly $240,000 arresting Aberdeen University student Stuart Kennedy, 25, 22 times on allegations of impersonating an officer and holding him in custody for a total 123 hours, The Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday. Kennedy has never been successfully prosecuted, the newspaper said.

Richard Baker, Justice spokesman for the Labor party, was among the officials criticizing the department for what some see as a waste of money and resources.

"I don't see this as serving effectively as a deterrent and people regard this more as ludicrous than as a serious matter," Baker said.

Colin Menzies, assistant chief constable of Grampian Police, said the department has a "duty to investigate all instances when reports of alleged criminal behavior are received."

"I am, however, extremely disappointed that the force and our officers have come in for such criticism when I believe they have acted proportionately and with the greater interests of the community we serve at heart throughout," Menzies said.