Angiolini issues call for evidence on police complaints handling

People with real life experiences of complaints about the police are being asked for their evidence by the independent review into police complaints handling.

Dame Elish Angiolini QC, who is conducting the review, today issued a call for evidence to support her inquiry, which is scrutinising the arrangements in Scotland for complaints handling, investigations and misconduct in relation to policing, as set out in relevant primary and secondary legislation, in order to assess and report on the effectiveness of current law and practice.

She is seeking views from members of the public, former and serving police officers and a wide range of organisations to help inform her report and recommendations.

Dame Elish commented: "I have been asked the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and the Lord Advocate to make recommendations to help strengthen public confidence in policing in Scotland. Only by listening to a broad range of views and looking at the respective roles and practices of Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner and the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service will I be able to achieve that.

"There has been a lot of public debate about police complaints. I want to hear about people’s real life experience of their dealings with Police Scotland, as well as gathering evidence from police officers and interested organisations.

"It is in all our interests – public, police and staff – that we have trust and confidence in the system; know that it is fair, transparent, accountable and proportionate; and be sure that it will always protect the rights of all those involved."

Click here to access the call for evidence. Written responses are requested by Wednesday 13 March 2019.