Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints

The complaints in this case arose after the applicant and her brother made several reports to the police regarding her brother’s ex-partner. We have reviewed the handling of five complaints, namely that:

1. In September 2019, police arrested the ex-partner of the applicant’s brother by appointment at the police station, presenting an opportunity for her to delete evidence from her phone, and police did not consider seizing any other devices;
2. Between 5 February and 26 March 2020, an officer did not return calls and emails made by the applicant and her brother;
3. On 30 June 2021, an officer requested a statement from the applicant, but failed to obtain the applicant’s statement until 1 September 2021, which was an inadequate amount of time prior to a pending trial;
4. In April 2019, an officer failed to investigate allegations of stalking and harassing behaviour made against the ex-partner of the applicant’s brother, after she attended at the home of the applicant’s brother; and,
5. In February 2020, an officer failed to investigate allegations of stalking and harassing behaviour made against the ex-partner of the applicant’s brother, after she attended at a building site where the applicant's brother was working. 

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 complaints 3, and 5.

We have made two recommendations to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of the complaints.

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

Outcome

Police Scotland implemented both recommendations in this case. In doing so, they took cognisance of the points raised within the report, undertook further enquiry where appropriate, and provided the applicant with a further response that was supported by the material information available and well-reasoned. They also highlighted the circumstances to management to consider whether any further training opportunities could be identified for the officers involved.

Police Bodies : Police Scotland