Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints

The complaints in this case arose after the applicant, and her neighbour, made reports to the police about each other. We have reviewed the handling of six complaints, namely that: 

1. On 7 June 2022 officers failed to inform the applicant of the reason for her arrest;
2. On 7 June 2022 officers did not allow the applicant to show them evidence of harassment and intimidation she had experienced since 2017;
3. On 7 June 2022 the applicant was not given any written information in relation to her arrest;
4. In 2022 a police report to the Procurator Fiscal failed to assess the possibility that allegations made against the applicant were malicious;
5. In 2022 officers did not comply with section 3 of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Guide for Specialist Reporting Agencies; and
6. Between June 2022 and August 2023 Police Scotland discriminated against the applicant by prioritising a false hate crime allegation against her, over her allegations of harassment.

Police Scotland's Decision

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

Our Findings

We have found that Police Scotland handled complaints 1, 3, 4 and 6 to a reasonable standard, but not so complaints 2 and 5. We have not made any recommendations to Police Scotland. However, we have identified a learning point which relates to good practice in respect of complainer engagement. Our learning point should be completed by Police Scotland within two months of the date of this report.

Police Bodies: Police Scotland