Police complaints review-call for evidence: news release

The Rt. Hon. Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC today issued a call for evidence on the subject of police complaints.

Dame Elish’s Independent Review is scrutinising the arrangements in Scotland for complaints handling, investigations and misconduct in relation to policing.

Dame Elish said:

"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 and 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."

The evidence gathered from members of the public, former and serving police officers and a wide range of organisations will help to inform Dame Elish’s report and recommendations.

Find out how to get involved in the call for evidence. Written responses are requested by Wednesday 13 March 2019.

The Independent Review formally got underway in September 2018.

More information about the police complaints review.

Dame Elish will not review individual cases but will consider how the experience of those involved or affected can inform and improve structures, operational responsibilities and processes.