Complaint Handling Reviews

Complaint Handling Reviews icon

Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00882/24

27 May 2025
Content

The Complaints

The complaint in this case arose after police officers responded to a welfare concern for the applicant. Officers located the applicant driving and pull him over. Additional officers attended the scene and tried to convince the applicant to attend an appointment with a doctor. Officers transported the applicant to this appointment. We have reviewed the handling of four complaints, namely that: 

  1. On 28 October 2024, an officer drove a police vehicle in a careless manner whilst attempting to stop the applicant’s vehicle. 

  2. An officer was aggressive and used excessive force by grabbing the applicant’s forearm and prevented him from moving.

  3. Officers used excessive force by grabbing the applicant’s arms; and

  4. An officer informed the applicant that he was being detained under the Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, which was not the case. 

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, 3 and 4 to a reasonable standard but not so complaint 2. 

Consequently, we have made a single recommendation to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of complaint 2. In summary, we have recommended for Police Scotland to conduct further necessary and proportionate enquiries into complaint 2. Police Scotland should thereafter provide a further  complaint response letter to the applicant, explaining whether the complaint is upheld/not upheld and how the information available informed that conclusion.

We have also made four learning points, two of which relate to Police Scotland’s administration of the complaints and two highlighting good policing practice. 

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

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

Police Bodies: Police Scotland

Back to Top Button top