Complaint Handling Reviews

The Complaints

The complaints in this case arose after officers charged the applicant with an offence contrary to Section 3 Road Traffic Act 1988 i.e. careless driving. The applicant overtook a police vehicle whilst driving his car. On approach to a roundabout, the applicant was in the left-hand lane to drive straight on and he observed the police car also driving straight on using the right-hand lane. The applicant wound down his window and challenged the police for using the right-hand lane. The officers indicated for the applicant to pull over at the next available layby. An officer advised the applicant that he (the applicant) was driving in excess of the speed limit and therefore charged him. A report was submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service; however, no further action was taken.

We have reviewed the handling of three complaints, namely that:

1. An officer was speeding without activating blue lights.
2. An officer threatened to take the applicant to a police station if he did not provide his driving licence; and
3. An officer only charged the applicant after he challenged them about cutting across a roundabout. 
    

Police Scotland’s Decision

Police Scotland did not uphold the applicant’s complaints. 

Our Findings

We have found that Police Scotland handled all of the applicant’s complaints to a reasonable standard.

There is no further action required by Police Scotland in this connection.