Bill introduced to improve police ethics and standards

A bill to help strengthen public confidence in standards of police conduct has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament.   

The Scottish Government’s Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill aims to ensure allegations of misconduct are dealt with more transparently and effectively.

It delivers the majority of the remaining legislative recommendations made by former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini, in her independent review of policing.

The bill provides for a Code of Ethics for Policing in Scotland to be prepared by the Chief Constable, in consultation with the Scottish Police Authority and others; for a duty of candour and cooperation in proceedings including investigations against constables; and an "advisory list" and "barred list" of people who cease to be constables in certain circumstances during or after disciplinary proceedings. There are further provisions for review of complaint handling.

Outcomes of misconduct hearings would be published online and police officers would no longer able to resign to avoid disciplinary proceedings.

To oversee the new ethical standards, the role of the independent Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) will be significantly enhanced.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance commented: "Scotland is well served by the exceptional dedication and commitment of Scotland’s police officers and the work they do every day to keep communities safe.

“However, if things go wrong, the police must be held to account and improvements made. The principle of policing by consent, so central to our justice system, is built on this accountability. It is also in the interests of both the public and of the policing family."

She added: "The vital safeguards set out in this legislation will enhance the professional service already delivered by officers, as they perform their privileged duties to keep us all safe."

Find the bill and related papers here.