Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00672/21
The Complaints
The complaints in this case arose following the death of the applicant’s ex-partner. We have reviewed the handling of seven complaints, namely that:
- Police Scotland failed to communicate with the applicant regarding the death of her ex-partner, despite her being his next of kin, and instead communicated with his estranged daughter.
- Police Scotland did not respond to the applicant’s 999 call to report the theft of items from her ex-partner’s address.
- Following a post mortem, the applicant viewed her ex-partner’s body at the hospital but a police officer refused to leave the room, and did not allow her to say goodbye properly.
- Police officers attended the applicant’s home to return her ex-partner’s belongings but did not contact her beforehand to let her know they would be attending.
- Police officers attended the applicant’s home to return more of her ex-partner’s belongings but did not contact her beforehand, and instead left the items with her young son.
- The applicant was not allowed entry to her ex-partner’s address to collect clothing for him to be buried in.
- A police officer appeared disinterested and dismissive of the applicant throughout her dealings with him.
Police Scotland’s Decision
Police Scotland did not uphold any of the applicant’s complaints.
Our Findings
We have found that Police Scotland handled complaints 1 to 3 to a reasonable standard but not so complaints 4 to 7.
Consequently, we have made four recommendations to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of complaints 4, 5, 6 and 7. In summary, we have recommended that Police Scotland undertakes further necessary proportionate enquiries and provides the applicant with a further response to these complaints.
Our recommendations should be completed by Police Scotland within two months of the date of this report.
Outcome
Police Scotland implemented all four recommendations made in this case. In doing so, Police Scotland conducted further enquiries and provided the applicant with a further response which addressed the shortcomings in the handling of four complaints that we had highlighted in our CHR report. Three complaints remained not upheld, and one complaint was subsequently upheld by the police. The rationale for each of these determinations was adequately outlined in the further response issued to the applicant. Police Scotland also identified, recorded and upheld a separate complaint as a result of their further enquiries. In relation to the upheld complaints, Police Scotland identified and appropriately disseminated individual and organisational learning. The organisational learning will form part of an ongoing review of Police Scotland’s Investigation of Deaths National Guidance.
Police Bodies : Police Scotland