Our business

Commissioner’s Foreword

I have pleasure in presenting my Annual Report as the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) for the year 2023-2024. 

This year sees PIRC celebrate our 10-year anniversary. We launched in 2013 when the existing Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland (PCCS) was transformed into the PIRC. 

Our remit was expanded with the creation, that same year, of the single Police Service of Scotland (Police Scotland). This was to ensure that Police Scotland’s complaints handling procedures and incidents involving the police were reviewed and investigated by an independent body in the absence of another police force.

Over the past 10 years, we have sought to increase public trust and confidence through independent scrutiny of police actions and by promoting continuous improvement. This can be evidenced from some of the highlight figures contained in this Annual Report. 

The volume of our workload has increased substantially over the past decade.

In 2013-2014, we assessed 251 referrals and investigated 40 cases. We also received 292 applications for Complaint Handling Reviews (CHRs) and reviewed 600 separate Heads of Complaints (HoC). 

In comparison, we have assessed 834 referrals and conducted 151 investigations in 2023-2024. In this past year, we also received 260 applications for CHRs which required the assessment of 1,346 separate Heads of Complaints (HoC). 

Despite the increasing workload, I am pleased to report that we are exceeding our strategic objectives. We have assessed and made an investigation decision within five working days of receipt of relevant information in 99% of all referrals involving police which exceeds our annual target of 90%.

Similarly, for all CHR applications a decision is being taken within five working days of receipt of the relevant police case papers in 99% of all CHRs, again exceeding our annual target of 90%. 

Looking more widely over the last ten years, we have delivered 807 completed investigations and examined almost 3000 applications for a CHR, while issuing more than 3000 recommendations - achieving an average 97% implementation rate for those recommendations.

Over the past decade, as the scope of our work has increased substantially, investigations have also grown more complex and protracted. 

The FAI into the deaths of Lamara Bell and John Yuill as a result of a road traffic incident on the M9 in 2015 concluded in October 2023. This was a highly complex investigation carried out by PIRC at the request of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). In his determination, Sheriff James Williamson remarked our report had been of considerable assistance to the participants and the Inquiry.

PIRC continues to be represented at the Public Inquiry into the events surrounding the death of Sheku Bayoh in 2015. During the year, several former and existing PIRC employees attended and gave evidence to the Inquiry. 

Looking ahead, PIRC’s strategic objectives will require to be delivered alongside major changes to our statutory responsibilities. 

The Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill forms part of the Scottish Government’s legislative programme for this parliamentary year. The provisions are still to be finalised however it currently seeks to introduce new legislative provisions extending the current powers and responsibilities of PIRC; it would also alter our existing governance arrangements.

PIRC continues to deliver through the exceptional commitment of our staff. 

In relation to our strategic objective to support, value, and invest in our staff, it is essential that we provide them with the necessary knowledge and skills and continue to promote a healthy work-life balance. 

We recently launched a training strategy as part of a planned and structured approach to developing and enhancing the skills and abilities of our staff. This means we can plan and outline goals as well as the methods and resources needed to deliver effective workplace training. 

Meanwhile, our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) group is helping to deliver training to enhance staff knowledge and awareness of EDI, while also reviewing and implementing our procedures, policies and initiatives designed to challenge unacceptable behaviours and meet our Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). 

Our recent digital transformation project has improved the level of customer service we offer to the public. We overhauled our digital presence to achieve our goal of increasing transparency, accessibility, and engagement. We have also streamlined the digital CHR application process seeking to deliver our services in a more efficient and customer focused way.

As an organisation, we have expanded and this year we secured additional accommodation which enables the full complement of our staff to be in the office at the same time. A key benefit is the provision of a dedicated wellbeing room. This is a multi-purpose area which offers a quiet and private space for 
staff. Throughout the year, we held focused health awareness sessions and launched our first charitable Year of Good Deeds, supporting many   good causes.

This is my last Annual Report as Commissioner. 

I will conclude my tenure early next year which will hopefully enable me to finalise some significant and complex matters ahead of a new Commissioner taking up post. 

It has been a privilege to lead PIRC through unprecedented times – a pandemic, the re-setting of relationships between key partners following the Dame Angiolini Report1 (Angiolini Report), the substantial increase in our workload and the extension of our remit. We are still a relatively young organisation and I have no doubt we will continue to grow, learn, and mature. 

I would like to thank my management team and staff for their hard work, dedication, and support over the previous five years. I would also express my thanks to the key partners and organisations that I have worked with daily.
  
While PIRC has a role to challenge and hold policing bodies operating in Scotland to account, all our interactions have been professional and constructive. 

Finally, I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for the advice, scrutiny, and support that I have received from the Audit and Accountability Committee (AAC) and the Scottish Government’s Sponsor Team.

Michelle Macleod 
Commissioner