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.
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.
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.”


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