Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints

The complaints in this case arose after the applicant was arrested and interviewed by the police in relation to allegations made by his ex-wife. We have reviewed the handling of three complaints, namely that:

1. On 8 May 2022, the applicant was arrested solely on the information provided by his ex-wife;
2. On 8 May 2022, the applicant was arrested by local officers and taken to a police station where he would be known to other officers and staff; and;
3. The applicant was falsely accused during an interview of being provided with medical proof of his ex-wife’s allergy. 

Police Scotland’s Decision

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

Our Findings

We have found that Police Scotland handled complaint 3 to a reasonable standard; but not so complaints 1 and 2.

Consequently, we have issued a reconsideration direction to address the shortcoming we have identified in Police Scotland’s handling complaint 2.

Our reconsideration direction should be completed by Police Scotland within two months of the date of this report.

Outcome

Police Scotland implemented the reconsideration direct in this case. In doing so, Police Scotland conducted further enquiries into this matter and provided a further response which was well reasoned, clearly explaining how the information available informed the conclusions reached. Although the complaint remained ‘not upheld’, an apology was issued to the applicant for matters not being better explained in the first instance.

Police Bodies : Police Scotland