Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints 

The complaints in this case arose after various incidents where the applicant had interacted with the police. We have reviewed the handling of three complaints, namely that:

1. on 24 May 2019, following the applicant’s arrest, officers failed to provide assistance to his mother;
2. on 22 August 2019, an officer searched the applicant for drugs without any justification; and
3. on 9 September 2019, officers entered the applicant’s address without a warrant.

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 2 and 3 to a reasonable standard but not so complaint 1.  We have not made a recommendation in relation to complaint 1. However, we have identified a learning point in connection to the administration of the applicant’s complaints.

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

Outcome

Police Scotland implemented the learning point in this case. In doing so, the learning point was circulated to all complaint handlers through the monthly report.

Police Bodies : Police Scotland