Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00251/23
The Complaints
The complaints in this case arose when the applicant reported an allegation of theft to Police Scotland.
We have reviewed the handling of five complaints, namely that:
- Officers failed to investigate the applicant’s report of theft and treated it as a civil matter;
- Officers failed to keep the applicant updated with the progress of the investigation;
- Officers failed to listen to a tape recording the applicant had which she felt had evidence that her property had been taken without her knowledge;
- Officers spoke to the applicant in a manner which was rude and disrespectful; and
- A sergeant gave wrong information in relation to the complaints process.
Police Scotland's decision
Police Scotland did not uphold the applicant’s complaints.
Our Findings
We have found that Police Scotland handled complaints 1 and 3 to a reasonable standard but not so complaints 2, 4 and 5.
Consequently, we have made two recommendations to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of the complaints. In summary, we recommended that: Police Scotland reassess complaint 2; conduct further enquiry in relation to complaint 4; and provide the applicant with a further well-reasoned response to complaints 2 and 4.
Our recommendations should be implemented by Police Scotland within two months of the date of this report.
Outcome
Police Scotland implemented two recommendations in this case. In doing so, in respect of the first recommendation, the complaint was re-assessed and subsequently upheld. In respect of the second recommendation, Police Scotland conducted further enquiries by obtaining additional accounts. The complaint remained not upheld. Thereafter, Police Scotland provided the applicant with a well-reasoned further response.
Police Bodies: Police Scotland