Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00161/23
The Complaints
The complaints in this case arose following officers attending at the applicant’s home address in response to a report of assault made by her teenage son. We have reviewed the handling of four complaints, namely that:
officers used excessive force by pushing the applicant across her couch and handcuffing her;
the applicant did not receive any medical attention for a head injury or bleeding to her ear;
officers refused to admit or document that the applicant had been injured; and
while in the court waiting room at the applicant’s trial, an officer said to the applicant’s friend “can you believe she is dragging this out and still not pleading guilty”.
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, 2 and 4 to a reasonable standard but not so complaint 3.
Consequently, we have made a recommendation to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of complaint 3. In summary, we recommend that Police Scotland undertake further enquiry, reassess the complaints and provide the applicant with a further response.
Our recommendation should be implemented by Police Scotland within two months of the date of this report.
Outcome
Police Scotland implemented the recommendation in this case. In doing so, it conducted further enquiry by contacting the applicant and obtaining a statement of compliant. While the complaint remained not upheld, Police Scotland reassessed the available evidence, and issued a fresh response which provided the applicant with a clear rationale for the determination reached and apologised for the original response failing to cover the material information. In addition, Police Scotland identified organisational learning which has now been brought to the attention of the Custody Division senior management.
Police Bodies: Police Scotland