Report - Police Scotland - PIRC/00135/21
The Complaints
The complaints in this case arose following the applicant’s arrest outside her former workplace and detention overnight in police custody.
We have reviewed the handling of eight complaints, namely:
On 13 July 2020, Police Officers used excessive force pushing the applicant against a wall and handcuffing her in a rough manner;
On 13 July 2020, Police Officers did not provide the applicant with an explanation as to why she had been arrested, nor did they give her an opportunity to speak;
On 13 July 2020, Police Officers made a comment 'You are one of them' which the applicant believes was racist;
On 13 July 2020, when the applicant was asked about her nationality, Officers laughed at her response and were unprofessional;
Whilst within Police custody, the applicant was not provided water;
Whilst within Police custody, the applicant was not provided with a blanket;
On 13 July 2020, Police Scotland failed to contact the applicant’s reasonably named person; and
On 13 July 2020, whilst in Police custody, the applicant was asked for a blood sample and she doesn’t know why.
Police Scotland’s Decision
Police Scotland did not uphold complaints 1,2,3,4,5,6, and 8 but upheld complaint 7.
Our Findings
We have found that Police Scotland handled complaints 2,3,6 and 7 to a reasonable standard but not so complaints 1,4,5 and 8.
Consequently, we have made three recommendation to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of complaints 1,4, and 5. In summary, we have recommended that Police Scotland reassess the evidence available and provide the applicant with a fresh response.
We have made a further recommendation in relation to how Police Scotland recorded the applicant’s complaints. We have recommended that Police Scotland now records complaints 5 and 6 separately.
We have also identified two learning points for Police Scotland. Our recommendation should be implemented by Police Scotland within two months of the date of this report.
Police Bodies : Police Scotland