Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints

The complaints in this case arose after the applicant was stopped by police officers at [named area 1] airport. We have reviewed the handling of eight complaints, namely that:

1. On 19 July 2021, the applicant was stopped by an officer at [named area 1] airport who said the police had been expecting her, but failed to explain the means by which the police were able to trace her presence on the flight;
2. On the same date, the officer who stopped the applicant did not explain why her details were held by Police Scotland;
3. On the same date, the officer who stopped the applicant for questioning failed to explain why she had been identified and singled out;
4. On the same date, an officer unnecessarily interrogated the applicant on matters that could have been addressed by writing to [named political group];
5. An officer’s decision to stop the applicant at the airport on 19 July 2021 contributed to sustained harassment towards her, because the officer knew she was a member of [named political group];
6. An officer’s decision to stop and question the applicant was racially motivated because the officer did not stop and question her husband;
7. Police Scotland failed to act on the applicant’s complaint which was submitted on 25 July 2021, until they were prompted to do so by the PIRC; and
8. Police Scotland’s Professional Standards Department sought to delay the applicant’s complaint by asking for basic details which were already available to them. 

Police Scotland’s Decision

Police Scotland upheld complaint 7, but did not uphold the remainder of the applicant’s complaints.  

Our Findings

We have found that Police Scotland handled complaints 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 to a reasonable standard, but not so complaints 4 and 6.

Consequently, 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 revisit complaints 4 and 6 and provide the applicant with a further response which addresses the crux of her 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 carried out necessary and proportionate further enquiries, the complaints were re-assessed and a further response was provided to the applicant. While one complaint remains not upheld, the other has now been upheld and the further response provided the applicant with a detailed explanation that allowed them to understand the determination reached.

Police Bodies : Police Scotland