Report – Summary Police Scotland – PIRC/00387/25
The Complaints
The complaints in this case arose after the applicant contacted Police Scotland to report an alleged hate crime.
We have reviewed the handling of two complaints, namely that:
The applicant was arrested and detained in police custody without an explanation of the legal grounds for his arrest; and
The applicant’s report of an alleged hate crime was not investigated by the police.
Police Scotland's Decision
Police Scotland did not provide a determination for 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 and identified four learning points to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of the complaints. In summary, we have recommended that Police Scotland conduct any further necessary enquiries, reassess the available information in light of our observations and issue the applicant with a well-reasoned further response which clearly explains whether the complaints are upheld or not upheld.
Our learning points relate to the correct use of Front Line Resolution, the administration of Police Scotland’s complaint handling form and the importance of advising an applicant of their right of recourse should they remain dissatisfied with the police final response to their complaint.
Our recommendations and learning points should be implemented by Police Scotland within two months of the date of this report.
Police Bodies: Police Scotland