Complaints and Conduct Committee - 13 November 2025

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 – 13th November 2025.

MAIN ITEMS OF BUSINESS
• Police Scotland Professional Standards Performance Report (Q2)
• SPA Report (Q2)
• PIRC Report on Police Scotland Handling of Complaints and Referral Investigations (Q2)
• Non-Criminal Complaints Update (Operation Glade)
• Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act 2025 Update
• Committee Work Plan

KEY ISSUES RAISED
Police Scotland Professional Standards Performance Report (Q2)
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 September 2025). Members noted the decrease in the volume of complaints in Q2. Members observed that a high percentage of referrals going to PIRC required no further investigation. PS assured members that every matter that meets the criteria is referred to PIRC for assessment and feedback, as appropriate. PS also explained that not every matter that comes to PSD meets that criteria to be referral, however this engagement with officers in the organisation is welcome, as can lead to learning points being identified. Members welcomed a decrease on discriminatory behaviour allegations and were advised that it is hoped that ongoing work with Policing Together will help sustain that decrease. Members sought clarity around the high number of Irregularity in Procedure noted as “other” and PS have committed bringing forward a breakdown of those categories to the next committee. Finally, the committee have requested that organisational learning is strengthened and filtered into committee reporting in a more regular basis. This will provide reassurance from a governance perspective in terms of what is happening following feedback from PIRC along with other work being done within complaints.

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 Q2, 2025/26. The report included findings from dip-sampling of Police Scotland complaints from Q1, 2025/26. Members were assured by the SPA that they would follow up with PS around any areas of concern in relation to Dip Sampling.

PIRC Report on PS Handling of Complaints and Referral Investigations
Members welcomed a report detailing key statistics reflecting Quarter 2 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 sought clarity around delays in relation to the implementation of recommendations following the PIRC Audit – 6-Stage Process. PS assured members that they are in dialogue with PIRC to understand what needs done to propose them for closure. PS further advised that there is some overlap with the BDO Complaint Handling Audit and the recommendations from that of which will be addressed via a short life working group. Members welcomed the PIRC’s perspective in relation to Body Worn Video (BWV), where footage captures the material part of an incident, providing unequivocal evidence, which is beneficial to the PIRC assessment and associated decisions.

Non-Criminal Complaints Update (Operation Glade)

Members were provided with an update in respect of the non-criminal complaint portfolio within Professional Standards Department (PSD). Members sought clarity on why there had been very little discernible impact on the number of unresolved non-criminal complaints investigated in line with statutory timelines, despite the additional resource placed into PSD. Members noted that there needed to be a clear return on this investment and voiced concerns at the pace at which the non-criminal complaints backlog was being worked through, making refence to statutory requirements regarding the handling of complaints. Members were advised that this was reflection of the general demand on PSD, and the internal challenges that surrounded that demand. The committee acknowledged the operational complexities that exist in this space, which have further been highlighted in the BDO Complaint Management Audit. The committee have requested, as part of the PSD plan to address the BDO Audit, a ‘path to green’ to be included, laying out realistic timelines, complaint volume projections and underlying assumptions, to give a clear indication as to when PS can achieve a sustainable operational state, without a backlog.

Police (Ethics, Conduct & Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act 2025
Members were provided with an update in respect of the non-criminal complaint’s portfolio within Professional Standards Department (PSD) and have requested sight of the final draft Code, along with summary of consultation responses in advance of it being laid before Parliament.

Committee Work Plan
Members have requested that work is urgently progressed between SPA and Police Scotland colleagues to produce a proposal for Member consideration in respect of the frequency of reports, noting an opportunity to spread reporting over the year and make agendas more focused. This has been an ongoing action and need to finally be addressed.

PRIVATE ITEMS DISCUSSED
• Police Scotland Conduct Report (Q2)
• Police Scotland Ongoing Non-Criminal Complaints
• SPA Ongoing Complaints Update

CONCLUSIONS/ACTIONS REACHED

Members AGREED that Police Scotland should return to the committee with the breakdown of Irregularity in Procedures noted as “other”.

Members AGREED that PS should ensure that organisational learning is strengthened and filtered into committee reporting in a more regular basis.

Members AGREED that within the plan to address the BDO Complaint Management Audit, PS should include a path to green, laying out assumptions and realistic projections in order to gain an organisational position in relation to this area of business.