Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 25 November 2020
It is fundamental in any democracy that the police service is held to account for its actions. I am sure that Parliament will agree that the “Independent Review of Complaints Handling, Investigations and Misconduct Issues in Relation to Policing” is a comprehensive and robust report. As others have mentioned, it runs to nearly 500 pages and makes 81 recommendations overall, which reassures me that the review—the first of its kind—has done its job of investigating our complaints procedures with regard to policing.
As has been said, Dame Elish Angiolini will give evidence to the Justice Sub-Committee on Policing on 7 December. As a member of that committee, I welcome the upcoming session as an appropriate time to ask questions and to begin to make progress on the recommendations. It certainly does not feel to me as though the report has been put in a filing cabinet, as per an earlier remark in the debate.
It is vital that anyone can make a complaint that will be responded to fairly. There have been challenges in the complaints process. Although we are all very well served by our police service, to which we are indebted, we need to be able to recognise when things are not quite as they should be. It is in everybody’s interests, including those of the police, that the complaints procedure is carried out in a fair and transparent manner. Overall, that will strengthen the public’s confidence in policing, which benefits society and the police force.
As we have heard from other members, as local MSPs we all know, through constituents, of situations involving complaints. I say again that it is really important that the public have trust in the process.
With the presentation of such a robust and detailed report, it is my hope that the Scottish Government will take the time to fully understand the difficulties and concerns that have been set out, to consider the recommendations and how to implement them appropriately and, overall, to engage with those who have been affected, while also linking in with the work of the Justice Committee and the Justice Sub-Committee on Policing, as appropriate.
Legislative changes are likely to be needed, which will require meticulous planning and consideration, but we are not starting from scratch—the interim report that was published in June 2019 has already resulted in many changes taking place in Police Scotland. There are now audits of complaints processes, improved training and an improvement in the relationship between key bodies. The complaints procedure is also now clearer, and it is evident that Police Scotland is making efforts to rectify the issues that are seen in its procedures. Police Scotland acknowledges the presence of discrimination and has stated that it is committed to addressing discriminatory attitudes and behaviours. That point, which picks up on what Liz Smith said, is important.
Police Scotland has played a pivotal role in the response to the pandemic, as have all our public services. The debate about the review is extremely important and will continue to be so, long after today’s business, but in the midst of a pandemic, it is only right that we, as elected representatives, come to the chamber—or, in my case, connect from home—to stand up for our officers on the street. Having been on the front line while the pandemic has hit our nation, they have faced higher risks than usual, have ensured compliance with difficult and ever-changing restrictions with empathy and in a supportive manner, and have used enforcement as a last resort when it has been required. I want to put on record my heartfelt thanks to all officers and, of course, a special thanks to those who work in Coatbridge and Chryston.
Public confidence in Police Scotland, especially during this tough period of the pandemic, remains high. Each person who interacts with the police brings with them their own experience—both positive and negative—and each police officer brings theirs. I welcome the report, and it is my hope that, as the proposed changes are implemented over time, the police’s rating with the public will grow even higher.
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