A report by a watchdog body has criticised the way Police Scotland handle complaints against senior officers and says misconduct investigations against all ranks take too long

Police Scotland have been slammed for the way it handles allegations of wrong doing by its’ top cops.

A shock report by HMICS (HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland) also criticised the length of time it takes for misconduct investigations involving all ranks to be completed.

However the watchdog body was particularly critical of the way Police Scotland deals with allegations of wrongdoing involving its most senior officers with some cases not being properly reported or investigated.

HMICS said allegations of misconduct concerning those holding the rank of Assistant Chief Constable or above should always be referred to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA). This enables the oversight body then to carry out an initial assessment of any potential wrongdoing.

However HMICS found Police Scotland had failed to report all allegations of senior officer misconduct to the SPA, including complaints that were made anonymously through the forces ‘Integrity Line’.

The HMICS report has called for Police Scotland to share all complaints of alleged wrongdoing involving senior officers to the SPA without exception, including complaints made anonymously.

It has further advised the SPA to maintain clear records, detailing the receipt of every such complaint report it receives, and of the decisions it then makes as a result.

In a key finding HMICS said some officers and staff had reported occasions where “senior leaders” did not consistently demonstrate the expected standards of professional behaviour.

Last December Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors was suspended over allegations of bullying.

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HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, Craig Naylor, said: “Senior officers are entrusted with significant leadership responsibilities and are expected to act as role models for the organisation.

“They are required to maintain the Standard of Professional Behaviour at all times, demonstrating integrity, impartiality, professionalism and accountability in all aspects of their conduct.

“It is concerning that there is a belief in some of the workforce that some senior officers do not behave in line with these standards.” HMICS said that last September, 92 police officers were suspended and a further 109 were subject to duty restrictions as a result of conduct and disciplinary investigations.

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Some cops remained suspended for several years while complaints against them were probed

While staff responsible for assessing potential whistleblowing received little or inadequate training.

HMICS also recommended Police Scotland should review the structure of its Professional Standards Department (PSD) to prevent future delays.

Wellbeing support for police officers and staff who were the subject of conduct and discipline investigations was found to be inconsistent and perceived as inadequate, with some reporting severe mental health challenges including feeling suicidal.

HMICS also recommended that in cases where an officer or member of police staff dies by suicide while under or following an investigation, that this information is included in Police Scotland’s report about the death to the Crown Office.

The HMICS report made a total of 24 recommendations for improvement by Police Scotland.

Mr Naylor added: “Public interest in police conduct remains high, influenced in large parts by recent cases of serious misconduct within UK policing.

“The recommendations set out in our report provide a clear pathway to enhance professional standards and restore confidence in conduct and disciplinary arrangements.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said;” Some of the recommendations and observations made by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland will benefit from improvements already being progressed, for example necessary changes to accelerate gross misconduct proceedings in cases of criminality.

“Police Scotland acknowledges commentary in the report around issues relating to senior officers and are considering carefully observations of what is a small evidence base.

“Police Scotland already places significant focus on ensuring our officers and staff know and live our values and standards of behaviour and understand how to raise concerns, including through independent whistleblowing.

“Police Scotland supports improvements across police conduct and discipline and accept all recommendations made in the HMICS report.”

Meanwhile, Liam attempts to get through to Cain once more

As we welcome another week in Emmerdale, there’s set to be more drama in store for the residents of the Yorkshire-based ITV soap. Last week, we finally learned more about Kammy’s background, Cain was arrested following him adjusting to his catheter removal, and Gabby tried her best to impress Ross.

However, next week viewers will see Laurel and Ross trying to navigate the early days of their affair as things heat up quickly between the pair. Meanwhile, poor Gabby is trying to recover from her rejection.

With the scheming Dr Todd determined to rinse Charity of every last penny in exchange for the safety of her baby Leyla secret, Charity is pushed to extreme measures after Kim Tate has some bad news to share.

Here’s what’s coming up next in the Dales…

Charity becomes desperate…

Kim pulls out of the Woolpack purchase, and in her desperation, Charity tries to scavenge a loan from Kim. After Charity’s left shouting about the sale to departing Kim, Chas wants to know what’s going on. Defeated, Charity finally admits to Chas that she’s being blackmailed by Todd over Leyla’s parentage.

Chas and Charity hatch a plan to rob the Home Farm safe to pay Todd. Soon, Charity gives Todd some money as a down payment, but remorseless Todd tells her she still wants the rest of the cash tomorrow or she’ll blow the Leyla secret at Sarah’s 21st birthday party.

Ross and Laurel’s affair heats up…

Gabby resorts to drinking away her self-pity and opens up to Dawn about Ross rejecting her. Dawn confronts Ross, who says there’s only one woman he’s interested in and it’s not Gabby – the subtext clear to Laurel. Ross promises to keep their entanglement on the down low, and Laurel succumbs to her passion for him.

Meanwhile, Sam’s desperate for more dance lessons from Ross so he can impress Lydia, but in turn, Lydia’s left hurt when this means Sam has to turn down a cosy evening in. Kim’s taken aback to discover that Sam’s been lying about working extra hours to avoid spending time with his wife. She’s left deeply concerned for Lydia.

Later on, with Lydia feeling estranged from Sam, Kim’s suspicions about his behaviour continue to grow. Meanwhile, Nicola is living vicariously through Laurel and Ross’ dalliance, although she’s dangerously close to spilling the tea to Manpreet. Ross is chuffed to contemplate another night with Laurel.

However, desperate for dance lessons from Ross, Sam crashes his romantic moment with Laurel, and Ross is quick to cover that Laurel will be helping Sam dance. Laurel’s enjoying the thrill of her secret affair and hearing Gabby firmly declare how she’s over Ross, Laurel’s pleased to shed her guilt that their affair may be betraying her.

Elsewhere in the village…

After finding out that they’ve been conned by Archie, Kerry and Pollard present a united front as they get their money back; Archie’s punishment is to start working in the shop. Pollard’s impressed by Archie’s cunning money-making scheme.

Liam advises Cain to find a practical solution to start living his life again. Gabby’s hangover has her contemplating clean living, and she investigates giving the Hide a new healthy menu.

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.

RECOGNISE any of these faces?

Our archive photos take us back to 2001 and 2002 and bring you snaps of new school starters across York.

We have been sharing these photos of children starting school with readers in recent weeks.

CLASS OF 2002.New starters at Slingsby Primary School ( from left ) Murray Smith, Emma Wharrick and Elena Storey

We’d love any updates on how these children are doing now.

Read next:

Share your memories

If you love delving into York’s past and seeing photos and reading stories from yesteryear then make sure you check The Press every day for its regular nostalgia stories. And don’t miss our eight-page nostalgia supplement every Wednesday in the paper.

Class of 2002: St Aelred’s RC Primary School, Tang Hall, reception class.

We also have more than 3,000 members in our online nostalgia group on Facebook, Why We Love York – Memories. It is free to join and you will find us at www.facebook.com/groups/yorknostalgia/.

It would be great to see your old photos of York – and they don’t have to be from centuries ago. We all love seeing old photos from our recent past, and some of our more popular stories with readers date from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

If you have a nostalgia story for us, please email maxine.gordon@thepress.co.uk.

Sonny Rollins, one of the defining musicians of postwar jazz and among the last surviving stars of the bebop era, has died aged 95.

Rollins’ publicist Terri Hinte confirmed his death, writing that “one of the most honoured and influential figures in American music of the 20th century and beyond, died this afternoon at his home in Woodstock, NY.”

No cause of death was given, but the saxophonist reportedly suffered from pulmonary fibrosis and other respiratory problems in recent years, forcing him into retirement more than a decade ago.

Across a career spanning more than six decades, Rollins became celebrated for his expansive improvisations, muscular tenor saxophone sound and constant stylistic experimentation.

He recorded more than 60 albums as a bandleader and worked with many of the central figures of modern jazz, including Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and John Coltrane.

His 1956 album Saxophone Colossus became one of the landmark recordings in jazz history and gave Rollins the nickname that followed him for the rest of his life. In 2017, when the album was inducted into the US Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry, the institution described it as “one of the defining albums of Rollins’ career,” praising the “power, grace and humour” of his solos.

Born Theodore Walter Rollins in Harlem on 7 September 1930 to parents from the US Virgin Islands, he grew up in New York during the rise of bebop and began playing professionally while still in his teens.

According to the New York Times, Rollins made early recordings with the pianist Bud Powell and the trombonist JJ Johnson before joining sessions led by Miles Davis and Monk.

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Like many jazz musicians of the era, Rollins struggled with heroin addiction in the early 1950s. He served jail sentences including imprisonment for armed robbery before eventually seeking treatment at a federal rehabilitation facility in Lexington, Kentucky.

“I began to have a deeper philosophy of what life was about. From that point on is when my consciousness awoke,” he told the Associated Press in 2007.

After overcoming addiction, he entered the most acclaimed phase of his career. Between 1956 and 1958, Rollins released a succession of albums now regarded as jazz classics, including Tenor Madness, Way Out West, A Night at the Village Vanguard, and Freedom Suite.

The latter included a 19-minute composition addressing racial inequality during the early civil rights era. Decades later, Rollins said: “Being a Black musician – in fact being a Black person – everything you do is political whether you want it to be or not.”

At the peak of his success, Rollins abruptly stepped away from public performance in 1959, dissatisfied with his own playing despite widespread acclaim. During his self-imposed exile, he spent hours practising alone on New York’s Williamsburg Bridge, later returning with a comeback album titled The Bridge in 1962, according to the Washington Post.

“What made me withdraw and go to the bridge was how I felt about my own playing,” he later told The Guardian. “I knew I was dissatisfied.”

Rollins continued to experiment stylistically over the following decades, embracing free jazz, calypso, funk, and R&B influences while maintaining the improvisational approach that made him one of jazz’s most admired performers.

He composed the score for the 1966 British film Alfie starring Michael Caine, and in 1981 reached a broader audience by contributing saxophone solos to the Rolling Stones album Tattoo You, including the hit “Waiting on a Friend.”

After the September 11 attacks in New York, Rollins evacuated his apartment near the World Trade Center carrying only his saxophone before travelling to Boston days later for a concert later released as Without a Song: The 9/11 Concert. The recording won him a Grammy award for best jazz instrumental solo for the track “Why Was I Born?”

Over the course of his career, Rollins received numerous honours including a Grammy lifetime achievement award in 2004, the National Medal of Arts in 2010 and a Kennedy Center Honor in 2011. Presenting the National Medal of Arts, Barack Obama said Rollins had inspired him “to take risks that I might not otherwise have taken”.

Rollins is survived by his nephew Clifton Anderson and nieces Vallyn Anderson and Gabrielle DeGroat.

Saughton Prison’s most notorious inmates have committed terrifying crimes.

Shamed former SNP Chief Executive Peter Murrell will be joining some of Scotland’s most notorious prisoners behind bars while he awaits sentence for embezzling party funds.

HMP Edinburgh, better known locally as Saughton Prison, has housed violent men and women across the country since it first opened its doors more than a century ago.

One of its most high profile residents is “Limbs in the Loch” killer William Beggs who is serving life for murdering 18-year-old supermarket worker Barry Wallace in Kilmarnock in December 1999 and then dumping his body parts in various locations including Loch Lomond.

Beggs recently took staff at the jail to court claiming his human rights were breached over the handling of his mail.

He said some was late or damaged and an Amazon parcel was refused. However the case was dismissed by a judge

Another notorious resident is 31 year old Alexander Pacteau who is serving life for murdering 24-year-old Irish trainee student student Karen Buckley in Glasgow in April 2015.

Pacteau beat Karen to death in his car with a spanner then tried to dissolve her remains in caustic soda after meeting her outside a night club in Glasgow’s West End.

Pacteau was accused last July of having a mobile phone in his cell at the prison but the charge was dropped.

Donald McAvoy half brother of Scots Hollywood star James McAvoy‘ is currently awaiting sentencing for slashing a fellow inmate during visiting time at Saughton last October.

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A number of people convicted of violence relating to last year’s gang war in Edinburgh and Glasgow are in Saughton.

They include Logan Carlin, 24, who set fire to a beauty salon in Edinburgh linked to city crime boss Mark Richardson.

The incident on March 6 was among the first in the gang war involving the feuding Daniel and Lyons crime clans.

Carlin was arrested as part of Police Scotland’s Operation Portaledge – an initiative set up to tackle gangland violence – and jailed for more than seven years in February at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The prison has also seen incidents and violence linked to the conflict in the past year including an attack on a Richardson associate. It is also a jail where violence is never far away.

A recent report found that Saughton had the second highest number of weapons seizures among the country’s jails with 455 since 2020. Only Low Moss in Bishopbriggs near Glasgow had more.

Last year a prisoner set free from Saughton on the Scottish Governments early release programme described conditions there as “Hell on Earth”.

The 41-year-old complained harsher sentences for sex offenders were fuelling the rise in the prison population.

The first-time con, released after serving four months of a ten month sentence for drug driving, added ” I’ve been assaulted by people “There’s not enough for prisoners to do.

“It’s overcrowded. I’m traumatised.”

The jail has also housed a large number of sex offenders over the years including serial killer Peter Tobin.

Tobin was convicted of the murders of Angelika Kluk, Vicky Hamilton and Dinah McNicol and died while a prisoner there in 2022.

Iain Owens and Paul Brannan were also housed at HMP Edinburgh after being convicted in the horrific “Beastie House” paedophile ring case.

Another Saughton inmate is transgender prisoner Isla Bryson, formerly Adam Graham, who was jailed for eight years for raping two women following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow in 2023.

Saughton has four halls: Glenesk, Hermiston, Ingliston and Ratho.

Ratho houses the Vulnerable Prisoner Unit – which separates sex offenders from the general population who might harm them.

The facility has a capacity of 870 but is often overcrowded.

Inmates have access to in-cell landline telephony to call approved numbers.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) allocates 200 free call minutes per month to help prisoners maintain contact with loved ones.

Families can also register for video-link sessions via the SPS Virtual Visits platform.

Murrell also joins a long list of famous and infamous Saughton inmates from the past.

They include naked rambler Stephen Gough who was repeatedly imprisoned for public nudity.

Scottish sculptor and artist Eduardo Paolozzi was held there for three months during World War II because of his Italian heritage.

While former Scottish Socialist party MSP Tommy Sheridan served part of a six-month sentence for preventing a poll tax warrant sale at the Edinburgh jail.

A prison insider said:” A lot of people think modern jails are a cushy number.

“But Peter Murrell will soon discover that is not the case.

“Saughton is as tough as it gets in the Scottish prison system.”

HYDRATION is something many people do not think about until they feel thirsty. But by that point, the body is already running a little low on fluids.

As we get older, staying hydrated becomes even more important for everyday health and wellbeing.

READ MORE: Fitness expert explains why short challenge can kickstart your health journey

The body changes over time. One of those changes is that the sense of thirst can become less strong. This means you might not feel thirsty even when your body needs water.

At the same time, the body can hold on to less water than it used to. This makes regular drinking throughout the day more important than ever.

Water plays a big role in how you feel. One of the first signs of not drinking enough is low energy. You may feel more tired, sluggish or less motivated. Sometimes people think it is just age or lack of sleep, but it can simply be low fluid intake.

Hydration is also important for joints. Water helps keep the joints cushioned and moving smoothly. When you are not drinking enough, you may notice more stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting for a while.

Staying hydrated can help the body feel looser and more comfortable.

Digestion is another area where water makes a big difference. It helps food move through the system and can prevent issues like constipation. Many people find that increasing water intake helps them feel lighter and more comfortable after meals.

Even your brain is affected by hydration. Not drinking enough water can impact focus, memory and mood. You might feel a bit foggy or less sharp without realising why. Something as simple as a glass of water can often help improve concentration.

The good news is that improving hydration does not need to be complicated. You do not have to drink huge amounts all at once. It is better to sip water regularly throughout the day. Keeping a bottle nearby is a simple habit that makes a big difference.

You can also get fluids from food. Fruit and vegetables like cucumber, oranges and tomatoes all contain water. Soups and herbal teas also count towards your daily intake.

Another simple tip is to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning. After a night’s sleep, your body is often slightly dehydrated, so this helps kick start your system.

As the weather warms up, especially in spring and summer, you may also need more fluids than usual. Being active, walking more or exercising will increase your needs even further.

The main message is simple. Hydration is not just about quenching thirst. It supports your energy, your joints, your digestion and your overall health.

CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, has reported that US intelligence believes Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei – who was injured in an Israeli strike on the first day of the war which killed his father and predecessor – is holed up in an undisclosed location, making communication with his envoys difficult and therefore delaying pace of talks with the US.

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust recruited the participants across more than 50 studies over the past year.

The research focused on areas including reproductive health, genetics, neonatal care and community-based trials, and coincides with International Clinical Trials Day.

Alison Loftus, head of research and development at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It’s been another remarkable year when it comes to delivering world-leading research studies in Bolton.

“We would like to thank everyone, from our colleagues who help to support research to our individuals who consent to taking part, as without them we wouldn’t be able to continue our work to discover new ways of treating illnesses and conditions.”

One major study currently underway is OBS UK, which tests a standardised care bundle to manage heavy bleeding during and after childbirth.

Another is the Generation Study, a genomic screening project for newborns to detect more than 200 rare but treatable genetic conditions.

Neonatal services at the trust have exceeded recruitment goals in several studies, thanks to support from across medical, nursing, midwifery and Allied Health Professional teams.

There has also been a shift towards delivering research in community settings, in line with the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s goal of making clinical trials more accessible and inclusive.

Recent community-based studies include the TRICEPS trial, which is exploring whether nerve stimulation and home-based rehabilitation can improve arm and hand recovery following a stroke.

The REDUCe-2 study is examining whether long-term abdominal drains can improve the quality of life for people with advanced cirrhosis.

Bolton is also contributing to Genes & Health, the world’s largest community-based genetics and health study focused on British Bangladeshi and British Pakistani populations.

Ms Loftus said: “Our continued focus to work beyond traditional hospital settings to deliver ground-breaking research is creating potentially life-changing outcomes.”

If you would like to find out more about research opportunities in Bolton, visit Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s website.

Temperatures in the UK are set to reach a record 36C on Tuesday, and the NHS has issued a ‘stay inside’ warning between 11am and 3pm

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As temperatures continue to rocket across the UK, a ‘stay inside’ warning has been issued, urging elderly Britons in particular to keep safe during the extreme conditions.

Temperatures are forecast to reach a record 36C on Tuesday, rising from the already sweltering highs of Monday, and alongside the benefits of the warm weather come some more worrying health risks.

The heat can trigger dehydration, heatstroke and overheating, which can aggravate symptoms for those who already suffer from heart or breathing problems.

While a heatwave can affect everybody, those most vulnerable include older people.

The NHS states that those aged over 75, particularly women, are likely to feel the effects of the heat most acutely.

People who live alone or in a care home are also at greater risk, as are those taking multiple medications or living with Alzheimer’s disease.

The health service advises staying out of the heat where possible, especially during the sunniest periods, predicted between 11am and 3pm.

The warning states: “If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter.”

When remaining indoors, it is also essential to keep your living space as cool as possible.

It is advised to keep windows shut during the day and open them at night once the outside temperature has dropped.

Electric fans can provide relief if the temperature is below 35 degrees. The NHS urges people to check the temperature of rooms, particularly those where individuals at higher risk sleep and spend time.

It is essential to keep a close eye on anyone who feels unwell with a high temperature during hot weather, as this could be a sign of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

The health service also stresses the importance of keeping cool, staying hydrated with cold food and drinks, and applying cool water to your skin.

The guidance warns that during heatwaves, significantly more people than usual become seriously ill or lose their lives, making it vital to take every precaution to stay as cool as possible as the warm weather persists.