Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00126/25
The Complaints
The complaints in this case arose after officers attended an incident at the applicant’s father’s home, involving four members of her family. The applicant complained about the number of officers deployed and an alleged failure by them to maintain control of her father’s address. She also complained about her brother’s subsequent release from police custody and information she was given when she initially attempted to complain about the police response to the incident.
We have reviewed the handling of four complaints, namely that:
On 9 August 2024, an excessive number of armed officers and vehicles attended an incident at the applicant’s father’s address;
On 9 August 2024, officers failed to maintain control of the applicant’s father’s home address, allowing unidentified adults and children into the address;
On 11 August 2024, the applicant’s brother was released from police custody without suitable support or safeguarding measures in place; and
The applicant attempted to lodge a complaint with Police Scotland; however, this was poorly handled.
Police Scotland's Decision
Police Scotland did not uphold any of the applicant’s complaints.
Our Findings
We have found that Police Scotland handled complaint 1 to a reasonable standard but not so complaints 2, 3 and 4.
We have made two recommendations to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of complaints 2 and 3. In summary, we have recommended that Police Scotland conducts any necessary and proportionate further enquiries in relation to complaint 2, and re-assesses the available information in relation to complaint 3. Thereafter, Police Scotland should provide the applicant with a well-reasoned further response to these complaints, which clearly explains the rationale for the determinations reached.
We have also identified two learning points for Police Scotland, relating to obtaining statements from witnesses during complaint enquiries and appropriately assessing complaints about the police.
Our recommendations and learning points should be implemented by Police Scotland within two months of the date of this report.
Police Bodies: Police Scotland