Further Details on Report Topic

SPA Annual Report 2023-24

As above, a high-level summary is included in the 2023-24 SPA Annual Report, detailing complaints received annually by Police Scotland and the Authority respectively, providing links to relevant Committee reports and signposting to the publication of the Committee-specific Annual Report.

In line with Recommendation 59, a high-level summary of key complaint handling performance indicators has been included, alongside the following suitability assessment:
“In May 2021, Police Scotland implemented a new national complaint handling operating model, which the Committee were advised would result in improvements in the quality and timeliness of the complaint handling process. Whilst this is apparently not supported by the above [performance indicator] evidence, it is recognised that demands on the Professional Standards Department (not limited to complaint handling) have increased significantly over the subsequent period amidst tightening resource constraints. Police Scotland recognises that demand now outweighs its resource capacity and has established a group tasked with addressing its complaints backlog and enhancing long-term complaint service delivery.
Engagement has continued with Police Scotland in respect of the development of its assurance reports, with a view to enabling the Authority to provide a more informed assessment as to the suitability of its complaints handling arrangements. Whilst a number of significant improvements and additional disclosures were made during 2023-24, the Committee continues to seek the development of, and reporting against, targets for completing key stages of the complaints handling process; the diversity profile of those raising complaints or those complained about; the appropriateness of current complaint categories; data on complainant satisfaction; evidence that learning is being identified and actioned to prevent recurring complaints; and improved trend analysis.
Based on the above, the Committee will continue to seek assurance on improvement action being taken to ensure the suitability of Police Scotland complaint handling arrangements going forward.”

Prior to inclusion in the Annual Report, the above text was shared with Police Scotland and the PIRC and agreed with the Committee Chair.
Complaints & Conduct Committee Annual Report 2023-24

The Committee-specific Annual Report for 2023-24 is included at Appendix A. Compared to previous years, additional information is also included this year, beyond complaints, in respect of wider matters considered by the Committee, particularly in relation to officer misconduct.

The majority of the report content is based on items considered by the Committee during 2023-24 in public session and corresponding minutes, as well as ‘public’ minutes of private sessions, all of which are already in the public domain. As with previous years, SPA officials have engaged with both Police Scotland and the PIRC on the draft prior to publication. The draft report was also shared with the Committee Chair for review and input.

The report includes a foreword from the Committee Chair, followed by an introduction which outlines the functions of the Authority, Police Scotland and the PIRC in respect of complaints, as well as setting out the role of the Committee as relevant to the report.

It then provides a summary of key business considered by the Committee under the following headings:
• Complaints Handling Performance Reports
• Conduct Performance Reports
• Report Development
• Monitoring of the Handling of Complaints by the Chief Constable
• Vetting
• Professional Boundaries
• Preventions & Professionalism Programme
• Review of Committee Effectiveness

The report then provides a summary of complaint handling performance statistics in respect of both the SPA and Police Scotland, and Committee oversight of the same, as well as information on PIRC Complaint Handling Reviews in respect of Police Scotland, and an overview of organisational learning resulting from complaints within Police Scotland. Additionally this year, a summary of statistics and Committee oversight is provided in respect of officer misconduct, as well as details of PIRC statutory referrals and investigations. Trend analysis is provided, by year, over a 6-year period, wherever possible. To enable sharing of a wider range of data this year, data tables are provided separately to the report, under Appendix B.

There is a further section on the Angiolini Review, which provides links to the Review reports; most recent progress report in relation to discharge of recommendations not dependent on legislative change; and a link to the Scottish Parliament webpage in respect of the Police (Ethics, Conduct & Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill.

There is a subsequent section on the National Complaint Handling Development Group. Whilst not an area of Committee oversight, per se, the Committee is the agreed vehicle (through SPA quarterly public reports) to provide public update on cross-agency work being progressed via the group.

The final section sets out the focus of the Committee for 2024-25, based on its agreed immediate term priorities and broader target outcomes.