We publish as much information as we can about the work that we do. 

Here, you can find various documents and records relating to our investigations, Complaint Handling Reviews, publications, audits and business documents, such as our strategic and business plans, annual reports and policies. 

 

Investigations

In investigations directed by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS): Our findings and report to COPFS are confidential and will not be published.

In investigations referred by the Chief Constable or other policing bodies operating in Scotland: The Commissioner may publish the conclusions unless criminal proceedings are still being considered. 

In investigations referred by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) regarding misconduct by a senior officer of the rank of ACC and above: The Commissioner is not authorised to publish reports.

 

Reviews

Whilst we consider it appropriate to be open and transparent about our work, some restrictions do apply. Our summarised CHR reports are anonymised to ensure those involved cannot be individually identified.

If you are looking for a specific document please select from the filters below and click 'filter results'.

If you know a specific Complaint Handling Review reference number, please enter it here. Please note, it must be entered in the following format, e.g.: PIRC/00642/16.

  • 01 February 2021 | Complaint Reviews

    Report - Police Scotland PIRC/00027/20

    Our role is to review the way in which policing bodies handle complaints made about them. It is not to investigate the circumstances which led to the complaint or uphold allegations made. When carrying out a Complaint Handling Review (CHR) we consider a number of factors, including whether police carried out sufficient enquiries; their response was supported by the material information available and whether the police response was adequately reasoned.

    See an ‘Executive Summary’ of the relevant CHR below. To comply with UK Government accessibility regulations we no longer publish documents in PDF form, so it’s currently not feasible for us to publish a full copy of the report.

    The Complaints

    The complaints in this case arose following the applicant’s interactions with Police Scotland in respect of domestic abuse allegations. We have reviewed the handling of three complaints, namely that:

    1. the applicant was discriminated against by two officers due to his gender;
    2. the applicant was discriminated against by two officers due to a perceived mental health condition; and
    3. despite the applicant providing two officers with documentary evidence and wishing to record a counter-allegation for domestic abuse, this was not recorded.

    Police Scotland’s Decision

    Police Scotland did not uphold any of the applicant’s complaints.

    Our Findings

    We have found that Police Scotland handled complaint 2 to a reasonable standard but not so complaints 1 and 3.

    We made three recommendations to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of the complaints, which have since been implemented. 

    In relation to complaint 1, Police Scotland conducted further enquiries by obtaining an account from one of the constables, which addressed the complaint. Police Scotland then assessed the available information and came to a determination that the officers did not discriminate against the applicant based on his gender. The complaint remained not upheld

    In relation to complaint 2, Police Scotland, as recommended, apologised to the applicant for the wording that had been used on the vulnerable person’s database in relation to his mental health.

    Lastly, in regards to complaint 3, Police Scotland reassessed the available information, taking our observations into consideration. They determined that the applicant’s counter allegation was not disclosed to the Procurator Fiscal as per procedure. The complaint was upheld and Police Scotland apologised to the applicant.

    Police Bodies : Police Scotland

  • 01 February 2021 | Complaint Reviews

    Report - Ministry of Defence Police PIRC/00334/20

    Our role is to review the way in which policing bodies handle complaints made about them. It is not to investigate the circumstances which led to the complaint or uphold allegations made. When carrying out a Complaint Handling Review (CHR) we consider a number of factors, including whether police carried out sufficient enquiries; their response was supported by the material information available and whether the police response was adequately reasoned.

    See an ‘Executive Summary’ of the relevant CHR below. To comply with UK Government accessibility regulations we no longer publish documents in PDF form, so it’s currently not feasible for us to publish a full copy of the report.

    The Complaint

    The complaint in this case arose after the applicant alleged that he was prevented from accessing a public road. The applicant made one complaint about Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) Officers, namely that the officers denied him access to a public road.

    Ministry of Defence Police’s (MDP) Decision

    The MDP did not uphold the applicant’s complaint.

    Our Findings

    We have found that the MDP did not handle the applicant’s complaint to a reasonable standard.

    Consequently, we recommend that the applicant’s complaint is reassessed in light of the observations made in our report and that a further response is then sent to the applicant.

    As at 11 February 2021, our recommendations have been implemented in this matter.

    Police Bodies : Ministry of Defence Police (MDP)

  • 01 February 2021 | Complaint Reviews

    Report - Police Scotland PIRC/00340/20

    Our role is to review the way in which policing bodies handle complaints made about them. It is not to investigate the circumstances which led to the complaint or uphold allegations made. When carrying out a Complaint Handling Review (CHR) we consider a number of factors, including whether police carried out sufficient enquiries; their response was supported by the material information available and whether the police response was adequately reasoned.

    See an ‘Executive Summary’ of the relevant CHR below. To comply with UK Government accessibility regulations we no longer publish documents in PDF form, so it’s currently not feasible for us to publish a full copy of the report.

     

    The Complaints

    The complaints in this case arose after the applicant made an allegation of assault. The applicant made five complaints against Police Scotland, namely that:

    1. an officer carried out insufficient enquiries into an allegation of assault made by the applicant;
    2. an officer only enquired into the applicant’s allegation of assault after the applicant contacted him to request an update;
    3. an officer threatened the applicant with arrest if he pursued his allegation of assault;
    4. an officer dealt with an allegation against the applicant by way of a Recorded Police Warning (RPW) despite him making it clear that he wanted the matter reported; and
    5. an officer falsely entered details onto the RPW that were incorrect.

    Police Scotland’s Decision

    Police Scotland upheld three of the applicant’s complaints and did not uphold the other two.

    Our Findings

    We have found that Police Scotland handled complaints 1, 2, 3 and 5 to a reasonable standard but not so complaint 4.

    Consequently, we have made two recommendations to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of the complaint. In summary, we recommend that complaint 4 is reassessed and a fresh response sent to the applicant. We also recommend that Police Scotland considers whether any additional guidance should be provided to officers about issuing RPWs.

    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. Complaint 4 has now been upheld and a further detailed response issued to the applicant. Police Scotland’s guidance in relation to the issuing of Recorded Police Warnings has also been reviewed.

    Police Bodies : Police Scotland

  • 01 February 2021 | Complaint Reviews

    Report - Police Scotland PIRC/00113/20

    Our role is to review the way in which policing bodies handle complaints made about them. It is not to investigate the circumstances which led to the complaint or uphold allegations made. When carrying out a Complaint Handling Review (CHR) we consider a number of factors, including whether police carried out sufficient enquiries; their response was supported by the material information available and whether the police response was adequately reasoned.

    See an ‘Executive Summary’ of the relevant CHR below. To comply with UK Government accessibility regulations we no longer publish documents in PDF form, so it’s currently not feasible for us to publish a full copy of the report.

    The Complaints

    The complaints in this case arose after the applicant attended at his ex-partner’s house to pick up his son on 3 April 2020.

    We have reviewed the handling of six complaints, namely that:

    1. A female officer was abrupt with the applicant outside his ex-partner's address;
    2. A female officer refused to look at documentation the applicant provided to support his attendance at his ex-partner’s house;
    3. The applicant heard laughter from within his ex-partner’s house when officers were inside speaking with her, which the applicant found offensive;
    4. Six police officers attended at the applicant’s ex-partner's address for what was a peaceful incident, which the applicant felt was unnecessarily heavy-handed;
    5. An officer openly discussed an ongoing crime report in a public place and outside the applicant’s ex-partner’s house, where personal details could have been overheard; and
    6. An officer told the applicant that he had made up an allegation as CCTV footage did not match the applicant’s account.

    Police Scotland’s Decision

    Police Scotland upheld complaint 5, but did not uphold any of applicant’s other complaints.

    Our Findings

    We have found that Police Scotland handled all of the applicant’s complaints to a reasonable standard. However, we have made a recommendation to address a procedural shortcoming in Police Scotland’s response to complaint 5. In summary, we recommend that the applicant is given an apology.

    As at 11 February 2021 this recommendation has been implemented.

    Police Bodies : Police Scotland