Complaints and Conduct Committee

The formal minute of the public items of business will be available at the meeting scheduled for Complaints & Conduct Committee. This will also be published on the SPA’s website. A full recording of the public items of business taken at this meeting can be accessed at: Complaints and Conduct Committee – 5th September 2024

This meeting was Chaired by the Authority’s Vice Chair, Fiona McQueen.
MAIN ITEMS OF BUSINESS
• Police Scotland PSD Quarterly Performance Report (Q1 – 24/25)
• SPA Quarterly Report (Q1 – 24/25)
• PIRC Annual Report on PS Handling of Complaints and Investigation Referrals
• PIRC Audit – Findings and Recommendations
• Committee Priorities and Outcomes

KEY ISSUES RAISED
Police Scotland PSD Quarterly Performance Report Members were provided with statistical information on the overarching performance in relation to complaints and conduct matters about members of Police Scotland for period (1 April 2024 – 30 June 2024). Following recent media reporting resulting from the external publication of misconduct outcomes, members were updated on the processes and difficulties associated with misconduct investigations that follow criminal proceedings. Members were advised that work is ongoing to address the timelines associated with misconduct and were updated on the legal challenges and complexities of some areas faced which impact on the timelines. Whilst discussing misconduct, members advised around the importance of achieving the right balance between performance and misconduct matters. Members were assured that divisions are currently being supported in this area. In addition, members have also been advised that PS will review the impact the publication of misconduct outcomes has on officers as they develop a greater understanding of the consequences of breaching the standards of professional behaviour. Members have been advised that further updates addressing organisational learning will come to the committee in due course. Members sought clarity around what was being done to address the backlog of non-criminal complaints and heard that the build-up has been over an 18-24 month period. There is however an improvement plan in place to address the issue and it is hoped that the recruitment of non-police investigators will assist. Members were assured that the backlog number of complaints has been through their initial assessment process which will help PS to reduce the number in the coming months. Members will welcome a further update on this to the next committee meeting.

SPA Annual Report Members were updated on complaints and conduct matters including key statistics reflecting the position at the end of Q1, 2024/25. Members also received an update on findings from dip-sampling of Police Scotland complaints from Q3, 2023/24.

PIRC Annual Report on PS Handling of Complaints and Investigation Referrals Members asked about the impact of the backlog of Police Scotland complaints, in terms of Complaint Handling Reviews, being advised that, as the backlog is addressed, it may result in an increase in applications for a review.

PIRC Audit – Findings and Recommendations - Members were provided an overview of the Audit Report on the Six-Stage Complaint Handling Process that was published in July 2024. Members welcomed the report, noting the information for PS to improve their complaint system and investigations to make them more robust. Police Scotland advised that an update on recommendations and their progress to discharge would come to the next committee.

PRIVATE ITEMS DISCUSSED
• Police Scotland Conduct Report
• Police Scotland Ongoing Non-Criminal Complaints
• Police Scotland Professional Boundaries
• SPA Ongoing Complaints Update
CONCLUSIONS/ACTIONS REACHED

Members AGREED that following the publication of misconduct outcomes internally within PS, they will review what impact that is having on officers to understand the impacts of breaching the standards of professional behaviour.

Members AGREED that Police Scotland will provide an update in relation to the backlog of non-criminal complaints to the next committee meeting.

Members AGREED that Police Scotland will provide an update on PIRC Audit recommendations and their progress to discharge to the next committee meeting.

Members AGREED that, on the basis of the range of additional information reported by Police Scotland in respect of complaints and misconduct process timescales, the final outstanding non-legislative Angiolini Review recommendation for which the Authority is responsible can be submitted for discharge.