Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints

The complaint in this case arose after the applicant was arrested in May 2021 and, separately, when he reported an incident in August 2021. We have reviewed the handling of two complaints, namely that: 

1. On 16 May 2021, the applicant was arrested and taken to a named police station, from where he had to make his own way home; and
2. On 7 August 2021, both a male and female officer made clear in their communication that they were not interested in dealing with the applicant’s report. They questioned the damage he reported, suggested he may have caused this damage himself, and advised him he could be charged with wasting police time.

Police Scotland's Decision

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

Our Findings

We have found that Police Scotland handled complaint 1 of the applicant’s complaints to a reasonable standard but not so complaint 2.

We have made two recommendations to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of the complaints. In summary we have recommended that Police Scotland re-assesses all the information available and, thereafter, provides the applicant with a further response that outlines whether complaint 2 is upheld or not upheld, and clearly explains the rationale for the determination reached. We have also recommended that Police Scotland provides the applicant with an explanation and, if appropriate, an apology for the delay in responding to his complaints

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

Outcome

Police Scotland implemented the recommendations in this case. In doing so, they not only re-assessed the information available, but also carried out further enquiries. The complaint was subsequently upheld. Police Scotland provided the applicant with a well-reasoned further response, apologised and identified learning for the subject officer.

Police Bodies: Police Scotland