Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints

The complaints in this case arose after the police attended an incident involving the applicant. We have reviewed the handling of three complaints, namely that:

1. the applicant was unlawfully arrested;
2. officers believed the account of the other party which the applicant believed was because of racial discrimination; and
3. the applicant received no response in relation to his appeal against his Recorded Police Warning. 

Police Scotland’s Decision

Police Scotland did not uphold any of the applicant’s complaints.

Our Findings

We have found that Police Scotland handled complaints 1 and 2 to a reasonable standard but not so complaint 3.

Consequently, we have made a single recommendation to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of complaint 3. In summary, we have recommended that Police Scotland revisits this complaint and provides the applicant with a further response which gives a clear rationale for the conclusions reached.

Our recommendation should be implemented by Police Scotland within two months of the date of this report.

Outcome

Police Scotland implemented the recommendation made in this case. In doing so, they reassessed the matter and provided the applicant with a further response which upheld the complaint and provided an apology to the applicant. Police Scotland also identified appropriate learning which was disseminated to the relevant division responsible for the shortcoming.

Police Bodies : Police Scotland