Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints

The complaints in this case arose after the applicant’s father was convicted and imprisoned. In 2011, as children, the applicant and her brother, were interviewed by the police as potential victims/witnesses following criminal allegations made against their father. A number of years later, the applicant’s father was convicted and imprisoned in relation to the same allegations. We have reviewed the handling of two complaints, namely that: 

1. the applicant was dissatisfied that statements were taken from her and her brother in 2011 in relation to allegations against their father; and
2. the applicant was dissatisfied with Police Scotland’s investigation into the allegations against her father, as new evidence which was delayed and only presented to the police in 2021, has led to his conviction

Police Scotland's Decision

Police Scotland did not provide a determination for the applicant’s complaints.

Our Findings

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

Consequently, we have made two recommendations to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of the complaints. In summary, we have asked Police Scotland to conduct further enquiries and thereafter provide the applicant with a further response. 

Outcome

Police Scotland implemented both recommendations in this case. In doing so, further enquiries were carried out and the applicant was recontacted. Both complaints were split into 3 separate complaints and a response was provided for each, which clearly detailed why the complaints were not upheld. The learning identified was also disseminated to the two members of staff involved in the complaint enquiry.

Police Bodies: Police Scotland