Police Ethics and Scrutiny Bill goes out to views

Views are being sought by Holyrood's Criminal Justice Committee on the bill which aims to strengthen public confidence in policing and investigations into police misconduct in Scotland.

MSPs are embarking on their stage 1 scrutiny of the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill, which would require the police to have a statutory code of ethics, including a duty of candour. It would also increase the functions of the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner and introduce an advisory board for the Commissioner.

The bill further seeks to improve vetting procedures for police officers through the establishment of a Scottish police barred list and police advisory list. These would provide information about officers subject to misconduct disciplinary procedures, or who have been dismissed, or would have been dismissed had they still been in post.

The proposed reforms follow recommendations made by the independent review of police complaints handling, investigations and misconduct, led by Lady Elish Angiolini.

Committee convener Audrey Nicoll MSP commented: "For a number of years, concerns have been raised about the process of investigating misconduct allegations about Scotland’s police officers, in particular in cases where officers were able to retire or resign before facing disciplinary hearings.

"Lady Eilish Angiolini’s review made recommendations aiming to strengthen public confidence in policing in Scotland and improving the transparency and accountability of the complaints process. We want to understand whether this bill will achieve those aims.

"We are keen to hear views from those with experience of the complaints process, those working in policing and the wider justice sector. We’re keen to learn their views on the proposals in the bill, if any proposals should go further, and whether they feel anything is missing which should also be included."

Find the call for views here. Responses are due by Friday 8 December 2023.