Report – Police Scotland – PIRC/00463/26
The Complaints
The complaint in this case arose after officers attended the applicant’s address in response to a noise complaint. The applicant had been playing music and consuming alcohol inside his property with his friend. Officers initially received no response upon ringing the applicant’s doorbell. When the applicant answered the door, an officer entered inside along with other officers. Both the applicant and his friend were removed from the property and conveyed to the police station where they were charged under Section 90 of the Police and Fire reform (Scotland) Act 2012, and released later the same day. The applicant was subsequently reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), and criminal proceedings were instigated.
We have reviewed the handling of three complaints, namely that:
1. On 19 July 2025, officers attempted to force entry to the applicant’s home address, without prior engagement, by kicking his front door.
2. On the same day, officers grabbed the applicant and flung him downstairs; and
3. Officers discriminated against the applicant because of his age and gender.
Police Scotland’s Decision
Police Scotland did not uphold the applicant’s complaints
Our Findings
We have found that Police Scotland did not handle the applicant’s complaints to a reasonable standard.
Consequently, we have issued two reconsideration directions and one recommendation to address the shortcomings in Police Scotland’s handling of the complaints. In summary, Police Scotland should conduct further enquiries into complaints 1, 2 and 3 and thereafter provide the applicant with a further response to both complaints, which clearly explains the rationale for the conclusions reached.
We have also identified a learning point relative to Police Scotland’s administration of the complaints.
Our reconsideration directions, recommendation and learning point should be implemented by Police Scotland within two months of the date of this report.