Report - Police Scotland - PIRC/00562/21
The Complaints
The complaints in this case arose when the applicant made a report of theft to Police Scotland.
We have reviewed the handling of two complaints, namely that:
Police Scotland did not properly investigate the applicant’s report of theft; and
Police Scotland’s failure to properly investigate the applicant’s report of theft was due to the suspect’s ethnicity.
Police Scotland’s Decision
Police Scotland upheld complaint 1 but did not uphold complaint 2.
Our Findings
We have found that Police Scotland handled the applicant’s complaints to a reasonable standard.
Nevertheless, we have identified a learning point for Police Scotland with regard to the handling of complaint 2. In summary, we have asked Police Scotland to remind officers and staff who deal with complaints about the police of the PIRC statutory guidance, specifically in relation to the provision made for Frontline Resolution of complaints.
Our learning point should be implemented by Police Scotland within two months of the date of this report.
Police Bodies : Police Scotland