Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints

The complaints in this case arose after the applicant and his neighbours made a number of reports to the police. We have reviewed the handling of ten complaints, namely that: 

1. On 09 April 2023, a police officer picked on the applicant because of his race and because he is from an ethnic minority;
2. On the same day, the same officer harassed and was aggressive towards the applicant when he was involved in a neighbour dispute;
3. On 09 April 2023, the same officer abused his powers, showing favouritism to the applicant’s neighbours as he is an acquaintance of a named family;
4. A police officer disclosed personal information about the applicant and his family to his neighbours;
5. On 09 April 2023, a police officer damaged the applicant’s bin lid when climbing into the applicant’s back garden;
6. During July/August 2023, a police officer failed to update the applicant in relation to an incident he reported;
7. On 26 July 2023, a police officer failed to carry out his duties when an incident was reported to him, causing an incorrect indictment to be served on the applicant;
8. In August 2023 police officers failed to investigate a hate crime the applicant reported and did not arrest a named suspect;
9. Over a two year period police officers attended the applicant’s address on numerous occasions which he believed was harassment; and
10. On 27 January 2024, police officers forced entry to the applicant’s home without a warrant.

Police Scotland's Decision

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

Our Findings

We have found that Police Scotland handled complaints 1, 3, 5, and 10 to a reasonable standard, but not so complaints 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Consequently, we have made two recommendations to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of complaints 7 and 9. In summary, we have recommended Police Scotland carry out further enquiry and provide the applicant with a further response.

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

Police Bodies: Police Scotland