Complaints and Conduct Committee

The formal minute of the public items of business will be available at the meeting scheduled for Complaints & Conduct Committee. This will also be published on the SPA’s website. A full recording of the public items of business taken at this meeting can be accessed at: Complaints and Conduct Committee – 4th September 2025.
MAIN ITEMS OF BUSINESS
• Police Scotland Professional Standards Performance Report (Q1)
• SPA Report (Q1)
• PIRC Report on Police Scotland Handling of Complaints and Referral Investigations (Q1)
• Police Scotland Professional Boundaries
• Complaint Handling Backlog (Operation Glade)
• Police Scotland Vetting Annual Report/ HMICS Assurance Review of Vetting – Progress Update
• The Code of Ethics for Policing in Scotland
• Committee Work Plan

KEY ISSUES RAISED
Police Scotland Professional Standards Performance Report (Q1)
Members were provided with a report noting statistical information on overarching performance activity in relation to complaints and conduct matters about members of Police Scotland for period (1 April 2025 – 30 June 2025). The Committee welcomed an increase of complaints dealt with via Front Line Resolution (FLR) and were advised that the close review of procedures and processes, along with other small changes, is perhaps what has brought this improvement forward to swiftly conclude matters for complainers. Members had a refreshed discussion to understand the proportionality and categorisation of complaints and action taken against subject officers either suspended or on restricted duties. Members noted concerns around Best Value in this area and although PS support those concerns, they note that protecting the public and officers is of upmost importance whilst investigations are ongoing. Following previous requests in relation to Organisational Learning, PS have committed to consideration on how this area can be developed for future committee reporting.

SPA Quarterly Report Members were provided with a report updating members on complaints and conduct matters including key statistics reflecting the position at the end of Q1, 2025/26.

PIRC Report on PS Handling of Complaints and Referral Investigations
Members welcomed a report detailing key statistics reflecting Quarter 1 2025/26. The report provided a detailed summary of the report which noted statistical information in relation to PIRC Complaint Handling Reviews (CHR’s), along with an overview on the Referral Investigations. Members welcomed the report and PIRC’s interpretation of the data and have requested sight of the reflective learning that was identified from PS.

Police Scotland Professional Boundaries
Members were provided with an update on progression of the Recommendations of the 2024 review conducted into Police Perpetrated Domestic Abuse. Members were advised that domestic and sexual offences have now been brought into one workstream with a broader remit as part of bi-annual reports. Members welcomed this consistent approach.

Complaint Handling Backlog (Operation Glade)
Members were provided with an update in respect of the non-criminal complaint’s portfolio within Professional Standards Department (PSD) and were reassured by work being progressed in this area. Members highlighted the value of the civilian investigators and the need for action to be taken to retain that resource given its impact. PS agree and assured members that lot of budget and workforce discussions are taking place to ensure the balance is right, but with a focus to retaining as many civilian investigators as possible due to their skill set and value. This may also allow warranted officers back to frontline roles. The committee look forward to further updates in this area and welcomed the focus this area had been given, and the degree of confidence that it provided. Members have requested that the data in relation to this area is presented in table format format going forward, to assist members on understanding how the composition of newly received complaints vs the backlog complaints is changing. Members were advised on a presentation PS received from West Midlands Police which demonstrated areas they had improved to reduce a large complaints backlog. Members have requested an offline briefing on this presentation.

Police Scotland Vetting Annual Report
HMICS Assurance Review of Vetting – Progress Update
Members were provided with a Vetting progress update, including the ongoing work to monitor disproportionality within the vetting process. In addition, members were updated on the discharge of the 2023 HMICS Assurance Review of Vetting Policy and Procedures within Police Scotland report, published on 3 October 2023. Members had some queries around BME applicants that were refused through vetting and were assured that following a deep dive review of these applications, the refusal decisions were confirmed as appropriate. Members have requested a timescale in achieving the new vetting application form and expect an update to the next committee. Members were advised on a delay in relation to consultation noted within Recommendation 3 (Police Scotland should introduce a programme so that officers and staff who hold only Recruitment Vetting are re vetted at least every 10 years) due to a number of points raised during consultation that PS are working through and an update will come to the next committee meeting.

Police (Ethics, Conduct & Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill Update
Members were provided with a report updating the committee in relation to Police Scotland’s ongoing activity to develop the Code of Ethics for Policing in Scotland as will be required under the Police (Ethics, Conduct & Scrutiny) Scotland Act 2025. The report aimed to provide assurance to the committee and to seek agreement to progress with the preferred option to formal consultation with stakeholders, as required under the act. Members have requested clarity around the omissions in relation to Duty of Candour compared to what is in the legislation. Members have further requested that the final draft of the code is circulated to members ahead of the next committee meeting for consideration.

Committee Work Plan Police Scotland and SPA officials have agreed to discuss a number of regular, thematic reports to understand when during the calendar year these reports can come forward to committee. Members can expect clear dates in relation to the work plan for the next committee meeting.

PRIVATE ITEMS DISCUSSED
• Police Scotland Conduct Report (Q1)
• Police Scotland Ongoing Non-Criminal Complaints
• SPA Ongoing Complaints Update
CONCLUSIONS/ACTIONS REACHED

Members AGREED that Police Scotland should consider how Organisational Learning should be captured within future report to the committee.

Members AGREED that Police Scotland should share reflective learning noted within PIRC reports with the committee.

Members AGREED that Police Scotland should share a briefing following a presentation received from West Midlands Police which demonstrated areas they had improved to reduce a large complaints backlog.

Members AGREED that Police Scotland should bring forward a further update on action to be taken to retain civilian investigators, given its impact of that resource.

Members AGREED that the current data currently within in the Complaint Handling Backlog (Operation Glade) is presented in tabular format to assist members on how the composition of different areas is changing.

Members AGREED that Police Scotland should provide an update on the timescales in achieving the vetting application form.

Members AGREED that Police Scotland should provide an update on the delay in relation to consultation noted within Recommendation 3 (Police Scotland should introduce a programme so that officers and staff who hold only Recruitment Vetting are re vetted at least every 10 years).

Members AGREED that Police Scotland should provide clarity around the rationale for the omissions in relation to Duty of Candour compared to what is in the legislation in relation to The Code of Ethics for Policing in Scotland.

Members AGREED that Police Scotland should provide the final draft of the code is circulated to members ahead of the next committee meeting for consideration.

Members AGREED that Police Scotland and SPA officials should discuss a number of thematic reports to understand when these reports can come forward to committee and bring clear dates in relation to the work plan for the next committee meeting.