Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00570/22
The Complaints
The complaints in this case arose following the breakdown of the applicant’s marriage which resulted in her moving out of the marital home. We have reviewed the handling of two complaints, namely that:
In September 2019, the police failed to properly investigate the applicant’s report of theft; and
Following the applicant’s report of theft in 2019, a police officer lied to her about what was said in her estranged husband’s police interview.
Police Scotland’s Decision
Police Scotland did not uphold either of the applicant’s complaints.
Our Findings
We have found that Police Scotland handled complaint 2 to a reasonable standard but not so complaint 1.
Consequently, we have made a recommendation to address the shortcoming in Police Scotland’s handling of complaint 1. In summary, we have recommended that Police Scotland carry out any necessary and proportionate further enquiries and reassess the complaint with specific reference to the points made in this report; and provide the applicant with a further letter of response, which clearly states whether the complaints are upheld/not upheld and explain the rationale for the determination reached.
Our recommendation should be implemented by Police Scotland within two months of the date of this report.
Outcome
Police Scotland implemented the recommendation made in this case. In doing so, they conducted appropriate further enquiries, reassessed the matter and provided the applicant with a further response which now upheld the complaint and provided an apology to the applicant. Police Scotland also identified appropriate learning which was disseminated to the line management of the subject officer responsible for the shortcoming.
Police Bodies : Police Scotland