Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints

The complaints in this case arose following the applicant’s father’s report to the police about a fraudulent foreign property deal. We have reviewed the handling of two complaints, namely that: 

1. The suspect in the fraud case was never arrested and interviewed; and

2. The officers stated that they hoped to resolve the case but did not explain that this would not entail any recourse of monies lost.

Police Scotland’s Decision

Police Scotland did not uphold the applicant’s complaints. 

Our Findings

We have found that Police Scotland did not handle either of the applicant’s complaints to a reasonable standard. 

Consequently, we have made three recommendations to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of the complaints. In summary, we have recommended that Police Scotland conducts any further necessary and proportionate enquiries into the complaints. Thereafter, Police Scotland should provide the applicant with a further well-reasoned response that clearly explains whether the complaints are upheld or not upheld. We have also recommended that Police Scotland provides the applicant with an explanation and, if appropriate, an apology for the delay in responding to her complaints.

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

Police Bodies: Police Scotland