Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints

The complaints in this case arose after the applicant reported to the police that his friend had been coerced into changing his will. We have reviewed the handling of two complaints, namely that:

1. Police Scotland initially failed to record or investigate a crime reported by the applicant; and
2. The investigation into the applicant’s report was not thorough. 

Police Scotland’s Decision

Police Scotland did not uphold either of 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 two recommendations to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of the complaints. In summary, we have recommended that Police Scotland provides the applicant with a further response which takes account of our observations and explains whether each of the complaints are upheld or not upheld.

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

Outcome

Police Scotland implemented both recommendations in this case. In doing so, Police Scotland provided the applicant with a further response which addressed the shortcomings in the handling of both complaints that we had highlighted in our CHR report. Both complaints were upheld and an apology issued to the applicant. The rationale for both of these determinations was adequately outlined in the further response issued to the applicant. 

Police Bodies : Police Scotland