Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints

The complaints in this case arose after the police responded to a report by another road that the applicant had assaulted him in a road rage incident and about the applicant’s driving immediately preceding the alleged assault. We have reviewed the handling of two complaints, namely that: 

1. the enquiry into the road traffic incident was insufficient; and
2. the applicant was charged following a road traffic incident, but the other party was not.

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 shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of complaint 1. In summary, we have recommended that Police Scotland conducts additional enquiries and provides the applicant with a further response. 

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

Outcome

Police Scotland implemented one recommendation in this case. In doing so, Police Scotland conducted further enquiries and reassessed one complaint in line with our recommendation. The applicant was then provided with a further response in which the complaint was upheld. During the further enquiry, learning was identified for the subject officer, which was disseminated to them and properly recorded as part of the administrative procedures. 

Police Bodies: Police Scotland