Summary Report from Complaints & Conduct Committee

MAIN ITEMS OF BUSINESS

Police Scotland PSD Quarterly Performance Report (Q3)

SPA Quarterly Report (Q3)

PIRC Quarterly Report on PS Handling of Complaints and Investigation Referrals (Q3)

Continuous Integrity Screening

Dip Sampling of Police Scotland Complaints

Revised SPA Complaint Handling Procedures

Independent Review of Complaints Handling, Investigations and Misconduct Issues in Relation to Policing (PS and SPA Updates)

Police Scotland Restricted Duties and Suspended Officers

Police Scotland Suspension Critical Analysis

SPA Ongoing Complaints Update

KEY ISSUES RAISED

Police Scotland Professional Standards Quarterly Performance Report (Q3) – Members were provided with a report detailing statistical information on the overarching performance activity in relation to complaints and conduct matters about members of Police Scotland for period (1 April 2022 – 31 December 2022). Members were assured that the increase around complaints in relation to sexual misconduct was due to confidence in reporting and that Police Scotland have a sharp focus in this area. Members discussed Organisational Learning from complaints and Police Scotland have committed to bring something more substantive to the committee in relation to this. Members were provided assurance around how Police Scotland are addressing Quality of Service complaints and will be provided with further information in relation to the categories of upheld and not upheld complaints. In addition, Police Scotland have committed to report back more details around what elements of procedure are generating the large number of allegations in relation to irregularity in procedures and what Police Scotland are doing within that space.  

SPA Quarterly Report (Q3) – Members were provided with a report which informed them on complaints and conduct matters including includes key statistics reflecting the position at the end of Q3, 2022/23. Members were assured around the work done by the SPA to reduce the number of complaints out with the remit of the SPA.

PIRC Quarterly Report on Police Scotland Handling of Complaints and Investigation Referrals – Members were provided with a report which contained statistical information in relation to PIRC Complaint Handling Reviews and Investigations and Investigation Referrals. The report included key statistics reflecting the position at the end of Q3, 2022/23. Members were updated on the quality of training received by inquiry officers and were assured by Police Scotland that they aspire to be as efficient and effective as they can be in relation to complaint handling. Members were assured around the benefit of impact factors and understood that they assist the PIRC in understanding themes, assist with the recommendations and potential policy change back to Police Scotland. Members were advised that the Joint Audit was in the final quality assurance stage. Members have asked that the completed report is shared with members ahead of the next committee meeting. In addition members have asked for consideration to be given to the best way to conduct and streamline these audits in future to avoid these lengthy delays.

Continuous Integrity Screening – Following the same report that went to the SPA Authority Meeting on 23^rd February 2023, members were advised on Police Scotland’s approach to Continuous Integrity Screening. It has been agreed that the progress of this work will be reported to the next committee meeting in June.

Dip Sampling of Police Scotland Complaints – Members were provided with a report which informed them of proposed areas for dip-sampling following the reintroduction of the process. Following a detailed discussion members have asked to have sight of the historic work in relation to Dip Sampling in order to understand what is being achieved. In addition the SPA Complaints Team have been asked to give further consideration to this piece of work offline, including the output from the joint PIRC/SPA Audit, in order to make this piece of work more meaningful and to avoid duplication of effort. 

Revised SPA Complaint Handling Procedures – Members agreed to approve the revised SPA Complaints Handling Procedures.

Independent Review of Complaints Handling, Investigations and Misconduct Issues in Relation to Policing (PS and SPA Updates) – Members were provided with a written report from Police Scotland verbal update from the SPA in relation to this item. As there had been no significant updates from both, members agreed that future updates are delivered by exception ensuring that members are updated on how outstanding recommendations are implemented for both SPA and Police Scotland.

Police Scotland Restricted Duties and Suspended Officers

Police Scotland Suspension Critical Analysis

CONCLUSIONS/ACTIONS REACHED

Members AGREED the need for a substantive report in relation to Police Scotland Organisational Learning.

Members AGREED to have a report back on information around complaints upheld against not upheld in terms of category by category in order to provide members with more detail.

Members AGREED the need for more details around what elements of procedure are generating the large number of allegations in relation to irregularity in procedures and what Police Scotland are doing within that space.

Members AGREED the need for thecompleted audit report to be shared with members ahead of the next committee meeting. In addition, for consideration to be given to the best way to conduct and streamline these audits in future.

Members AGREED to review some of the historic work in relation to Dip Sampling in order to understand the objectives of the exercise.

Members AGREED for the need for further consideration to this piece of work offline in order to make the Dip Sampling of Police Scotland Complaints more meaningful and to avoid duplication of effort.

Members AGREED to a progress report on Continuous Integrity Screening to come to the next committee meeting.