Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00631/21
The Complaints
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant was arrested and taken into police custody. We have reviewed the handling of four complaints, namely that:
On 9 September 2019, the applicant was arrested for being in possession of a bladed article, despite showing officers CCTV that he believed proved his innocence;
On the same date, and whilst in police custody, the applicant was put into a cell with no running water and with a toilet that did not flush;
On the same date, and whilst in the police custody, the applicant did not receive proper care; and,
On the same date, and whilst in the police custody, the applicant was denied a blanket.
Police Scotland’s Decision
Police Scotland upheld complaint 1, but did not uphold complaints 2, 3 and 4.
Our Findings
We have found that Police Scotland handled complaints 1 and 2 to a reasonable standard, but not so complaints 3 and 4.
We have made three recommendations and identified a single learning point to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of the complaints.
Specifically, to record Complaints 2,3 and 4 of the report separately; in respect of complaint 3, to conduct further proportionate enquiry and provide a further response to the applicant; and, in respect of complaint 4, to seek a further account, conduct further proportionate enquiries and provide the applicant with a further response.
Our recommendations and learning point should be implemented by Police Scotland within two months of the date of this report.
Police Bodies : Police Scotland