SPA Complaints Process
What are the timescales?
We will aim to acknowledge your complaint within three working days and deal with your complaint within 40 working days. This may take longer depending on the complexity and seriousness of the complaint. We will provide you with further updates until your complaint has been concluded.
For further details on the SPA Complaints Handling Policy and Procedures, please click on the links below:
SPA Complaints Handling Process
Additional Information:
The following regulations set out procedures for determining cases of unsatisfactory conduct by senior police officers which are administered by the Scottish Police Authority: For an allegation occurring on or after 1st April 2013: The Police Service of Scotland (Conduct) (Senior Officers) Regulations 2013
Criminal Complaints
If you would like to make a criminal complaint against a police officer of Police Scotland, but do not wish to engage with Police Scotland’s Professional Standards Department or the SPA’s Complaints Team, you can send your complaint to Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service’s (COPFS) Criminal Allegations against the Police Division (CAAPD).
Postal address:
Criminal allegations against Police Division, Hamilton Procurator Fiscals Office, Cameronian House, 3/5 Almada Street, Hamilton ML3 OHG
Email PFOHamilton@copfs.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 020 3000
What if I am not satisfied with the outcome of an investigation?
If you remain dissatisfied at the conclusion of the complaint process the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC), an independent organisation not connected to the police, is the appropriate organisation to contact to request that your complaint is reviewed.
The PIRC can be contacted at:
Police Investigations & Review Commissioner
Hamilton House
Hamilton Business Park
Caird Park
HAMILTON
ML3 0Q
www.pirc.scotland.gov.uk
Freephone: 0808 178 5577
Email: enquiries@pirc.gsi.gov.uk
Fax: 01698 542 901
Click on the appropriate link below for more information:
Unacceptable, Persistent or Unreasonable Actions by Complainers
If your actions or behaviour are deemed to be unreasonable by the SPA, we will invoke the SPA Unacceptable, Persistent or Unreasonable Actions by Complainers Policy.
For further details, please click on the following link:
SPA Unacceptable, Persistent or Unreasonable Actions by Complainers Policy