COVID police powers review group calling for evidence

An appeal has gone out to people in Scotland to report their experiences of the use of the additional police powers granted to deal wit the COVID-19 emergency.

The Independent Advisory Group (IAG) under solicitor advocate John Scott QC, which is reviewing the use of the emergency powers within Scotland, is calling for evidence to support its work.

The three main powers the police were given were:

• to take someone home or take them to be tested if they were thought to be infectious;
• to close a wide range of non-essential businesses; and
• to restrict people's rights to move around in public or be part of a gathering.

IAG's main task is to examine the way Police Scotland has used its new powers and the impact this has had on people’s attitudes and behaviours.  

It wants to hear the views, thoughts and experiences – both positive and negative – of those who have had contact with the police in relation to the coronavirus during the lockdown period, which has run since 23 March, and those who have not had direct experience of contact with the police but who wish to express their views.

It is especially keen to hear from those people who have protected characteristics under the Equalities Act 2010 (which covers: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and sex), and people who may be considered vulnerable or disadvantaged, have hidden disabilities or may otherwise be susceptible to police contact.   

Click here to access the consultation. It will run initially until 1 September 2020, but will be reviewed and extended as required, until the work of the IAG is complete.