Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints

The complaints in this case arose after officers attended the applicant’s home on 6 March 2022 in response to an anonymous report made to Police Scotland. Specifically officer’s attended the applicant’s home and found the report to be malicious, after which they searched the applicant’s home and seized two items. The applicant also complained about interactions with officers that occurred previous to this incident.

We have reviewed the handling of 5 complaints, namely that: 

1. In March 2022, two male police officers sat on the applicant’s bed and made her feel uncomfortable; 
2. In March 2022, police officers looked through the applicant’s underwear drawer during a search;
3. Since 2019, police officers have seized 11 mobile phones from the applicant and her co-tenant;
4. On 1 November 2021, police officers seized the applicant’s car and phone leaving her with no way to get home; and
5. Police officers regularly drove slowly past the applicant’s home late at night.

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 2 to a reasonable standard but not so complaints 1, 3, 4 and 5.

Consequently, we have made four recommendations to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of the complaints. In summary, we have recommend Police Scotland carry out further enquiries and thereafter provide the applicant with a further response to complaints 1, 3, 4 and 5.

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

Police Bodies: Police Scotland