Publications

21 October 2021 | Our Business

FOISA Response No.723 – Cost of investigation

Where relevant, we publish our responses to Freedom of Information requests under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).

This response addressed the following query:

“PIRC Investigation: Death of 28-year-old man after being shot by armed police in Glasgow
Under freedom of information legislation can you please provide details of all costs associated with the investigation?
Can these figures be broken down into categories? For example, staffing costs, expenses, any other relevant costs?
Can any figures for any overseas costs - if relevant - also be provided?”

The PIRC has considered this as a request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (“FOISA”). An application for information held by public authorities under section 1 of FOISA requires that a public authority release all information held, subject to any applicable exemptions.

The costs directly relating to this investigation up to your date of enquiry of 17 September 2021 have been £108,191.16, which included the travel time on multiple journeys. We can confirm that no costs were incurred overseas.

These costs are broken down as follows:

21 October 2021 | Our Business

FOISA Response No.720 – Acceptable Use Policy

Where relevant, we publish our responses to Freedom of Information requests under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).

This response addressed the following query:

“I would require a copy of the services acceptable use policy under the freedom of information (Scotland) act 2002 so that I can be informed as to what appropriate or inappropriate use of its service is.”

An application for information held by public authorities under section 1 of FOISA requires that a public authority release all information held, subject to any applicable exemptions.

I can confirm we hold this information. The PIRC publish an Unacceptable Actions Policy (https://pirc.scot/media/5194/unacceptable-actions-policy.pdf) on our web site which outlines the behaviours we will not accept from members of the public when they request our services. The approach applies to individuals, organisations and others acting on behalf of organisations who have contact with us. This includes, but is not restricted to, individuals, those making general enquiries, third parties acting on behalf of others, those making complaints, interested members of the public.

For anyone wishing to make a complaint about the police, the remit of the PIRC is further outlined on our web site under the section relating to our Complaint Handling Reviews https://pirc.scot/complaint-handling-reviews/.

21 October 2021 | Our Business

FOISA Response No.716 – PIRC complaint contact details

Where relevant, we publish our responses to Freedom of Information requests under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).

This response addressed the following query:

“A disclosure of an email address for the PIRC complaints department or contact details for a complaints officer of PIRC.”

Response:

Details on how to make a complaint about the PIRC are provided on our website, accessed from this link https://pirc.scot/contact/complaints-about-the-pirc/, or from the Contact page on the pirc.scot site.

We have a dedicated mailbox feedback@pirc.gov.scot to allow people to make a complaint. Upon receipt complaints are forwarded to senior staff for their response.

21 October 2021 | Our Business

FOISA Response No.715 – PIRC adult protection division or officer

Where relevant, we publish our responses to Freedom of Information requests under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).

This response addressed the following query:

“a formal write to address of a PIRC adult protection division or officer. If officer, please supply the contact details for a female or transgender female officer”.

The PIRC has considered this as a request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (“FOISA”). An application for information held by public authorities under section 1 of FOISA requires that a public authority release all information held, subject to any applicable exemptions.

The PIRC Investigations Department have female staff trained as Sexual Offences Liaison Officers (SOLOs) who undertake investigation of sexual offences. It also has female staff trained as Joint Investigative Interviewers (JII) who can undertake child interviews. All enquiries to PIRC should be directed to the main enquiries@pirc.gov.scot email address so they can be directed to the most appropriate person to deal with them.

Any requests for information should be directed to informationrequests@pirc.gov.uk.

21 October 2021 | Our Business

FOISA Response No.714 – PIRC adolescent protection division or officer

Where relevant, we publish our responses to Freedom of Information requests under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).

This response addressed the following query:

“a formal write to address of a PIRC adolescent protection division or officer. If officer, please supply the contact details for a female or transgender female officer.”

The PIRC has considered this as a request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (“FOISA”). An application for information held by public authorities under section 1 of FOISA requires that a public authority release all information held, subject to any applicable exemptions.

The PIRC Investigations Department have female staff trained as Sexual Offences Liaison Officers (SOLOs) who undertake investigation of sexual offences. It also has female staff trained as Joint Investigative Interviewers (JII) who can undertake child interviews. All enquiries to PIRC should be directed to the main enquiries@pirc.gov.scot email address so they can be directed to the most appropriate person to deal with them.

Any requests for information should be directed to informationrequests@pirc.gov.uk.

21 October 2021 | Our Business

FOISA Response No.713 – PIRC child protection division or officer

Where relevant, we publish our responses to Freedom of Information requests under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).

This response addressed the following query:

“a formal write to address of a PIRC child protection division or officer. If officer, please supply the contact details for a female or transgender female officer.”

The PIRC has considered this as a request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (“FOISA”). An application for information held by public authorities under section 1 of FOISA requires that a public authority release all information held, subject to any applicable exemptions.

The PIRC Investigations Department have female staff trained as Sexual Offences Liaison Officers (SOLOs) who undertake investigation of sexual offences. It also has female staff trained as Joint Investigative Interviewers (JII) who can undertake child interviews. All enquiries to PIRC should be directed to the main enquiries@pirc.gov.scot email address so they can be directed to the most appropriate person to deal with them.

Any requests for information should be directed to informationrequests@pirc.gov.uk.

21 October 2021 | Our Business

FOISA Response No.712 – complaint decisions upheld

Where relevant, we publish our responses to Freedom of Information requests under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).

This response addressed the following query:

“please supply the percentage of complaint handling decisions that are fully upheld?”

The PIRC has considered this as a request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (“FOISA”). An application for information held by public authorities under section 1 of FOISA requires that a public authority release all information held, subject to any applicable exemptions.

Following the conclusion of a complaint handling review we will determine what complaints the policing body have “reasonably handled” or “not reasonably handled”. We provide this information on our Annual Reports which we publish on our web site. For the last completed year we reported that we found 62% to have been handled by the police to a reasonable standard.

21 October 2021 | Our Business

FOISA Response No.706 – reporting of complaints of misconduct by Police Scotland

Where relevant, we publish our responses to Freedom of Information requests under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).

This response addressed the following query:

“Can you please advise where I might find the annual or monthly reports regarding complaints of misconduct by Police Scotland? I am looking for the information in relation to a project on police oversight mechanisms in the UK and, while I have been able to access the relevant complaints data from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, I have not yet been able to do so for Police Scotland. Any assistance you can give would be greatly appreciated.”

An application for information held by public authorities under section 1 of FOISA requires that a public authority release all information held, subject to any applicable exemptions.

The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) hold quarterly meetings and the agenda includes the discussion of conduct matters. SPA publish minutes from their meetings on the SPA web site. Details of reports tabled at the Complaints and Conduct Committee can be found from this link. https://www.spa.police.uk/meetings/complaints-and-conduct-committee/

21 October 2021 | Our Business

FOISA Response No.706 – PIRC staff working from home, PIRC staff that have received Covid-19 vaccinations

Where relevant, we publish our responses to Freedom of Information requests under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).

This response addressed the following query:

“I would like to know under FOI

The number of PIRC staff working from home, and the % as at this week

What % of staff are working from home more than 75% of their working week

What % of staff have changed their work patterns as a result of having to work from home

How many are not based in their normal residence whilst still considered working from home. For the avoidance of doubt, how many of your staff are working away from their offices but not in their main home/residence.

What % of staff have received the first vaccination for Covid

What % of staff have received both vaccinations for Covid”

An application for information held by public authorities under section 1 of FOISA requires that a public authority release all information held, subject to any applicable exemptions.

In will now address each of your queries in turn.

The number of PIRC staff working from home, and the % as at this week
69.14% members of staff were working from this week.

What % of staff are working from home more than 75% of their working week
87.65% of staff worked from home for 75% or more of their week.

What % of staff have changed their work patterns as a result of having to work from home
We have had no permanent changes to working patterns in either the last week, or for the entire duration of the pandemic.

How many are not based in their normal residence whilst still considered working from home. For the avoidance of doubt, how many of your staff are working away from their offices but not in their main home/residence.
None of our staff are not working from their normal residence that we are aware of, or are listed on our records as being located elsewhere.

What % of staff have received the first vaccination for Covid
Although we have asked all employees to provide us with this information, this is reliant on staff informing us on a voluntary basis, and we do not hold this information in an official capacity. Therefore the number of employees who have informed us may not be accurate.

What % of staff have received both vaccinations for Covid
Although we have asked all employees to provide us with this information, this is reliant on staff informing us on a voluntary basis, and we do not hold this information in an official capacity. Therefore the number of employees who have informed us may not be accurate.

21 October 2021 | Our Business

FOISA Response No.705 – Statements taken during complaint procedure

Where relevant, we publish our responses to Freedom of Information requests under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).

This response addressed the following query:

“1. Is it unlawful for a serving police officer to lie, be untruthful or dishonest in an operational statement during a complaint against the police. (CAP)?
2. What is the policy for Police Scotland while providing an operational statement during a CAP?
3. How many Police Scotland members of staff have been found to have either lied, been untruthful or dishonest during a CAP since 1st April 2013?
4. What are the procedures for Police Scotland officers while providing an operational statement during a CAP?
5. Are Police Scotland members of staff subject to the complaint provided with evidence provided by the complainant while they provide an operational statement for a CAP?
6. While reviewing the evidence provided by the complainant, are the Police Scotland members of staff subject to the complaint supervised while reviewing the evidence against themselves in order to avoid tampering with evidence?”

An application for information held by public authorities under section 1 of FOISA requires that a public authority release all information held, subject to any applicable exemptions.

I will now address each of your queries individually.

1. Is it unlawful for a serving police officer to lie, be untruthful or dishonest in an operational statement during a complaint against the police. (CAP)?
We do not hold information which would address this query. You may find Police Scotland are able to provide this information. Details of how to make an information request will be provided later in this letter.

2. What is the policy for Police Scotland while providing an operational statement during a CAP?
The police publish the Complaints about the Police Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on their web site. You may find this useful in obtaining further information about the police complaints process from this. Section 6.7.8 of this document explains that “Subject Officers or potential subject officers cannot be compelled to provide an operational statement or an account but can provide one should they wish to do so.”

3. How many Police Scotland members of staff have been found to have either lied, been untruthful or dishonest during a CAP since 1st April 2013?
The PIRC do not hold this information. You may be able to obtain this from Police Scotland.

4. What are the procedures for Police Scotland officers while providing an operational statement during a CAP?
The aforementioned Complaints about the Police SOP will have this information.

5. Are Police Scotland members of staff subject to the complaint provided with evidence provided by the complainant while they provide an operational statement for a CAP?
The aforementioned Complaints about the Police SOP will have this information. The SOP explains that staff are advised of the allegation so they can address it.

6. While reviewing the evidence provided by the complainant, are the Police Scotland members of staff subject to the complaint supervised while reviewing the evidence against themselves in order to avoid tampering with evidence?
The aforementioned Complaints about the Police SOP will have this information. The SOP explains that officers subject to a complaint should not be dealing with the complaint about themselves.

If you wish to contact Police Scotland to obtain information, the email address for FOISA requests is foi@scotland.pnn.police.uk. The postal address for information requests of this nature is as follows:

FOI - Information Management
Police Scotland
Clyde Gateway
2 French Street
Glasgow G40 4EH