Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland

The Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland (PCCS) was the executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government responsible for overseeing the system for handling complaints made by members of the public against the police force of Scotland. It operated between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2013.

Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland
AbbreviationPCCS
PredecessorHer Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland
SuccessorPolice Investigations and Review Commissioner
Formation1 April 2007; 17 years ago (2007-04-01)
Dissolved31 March 2013; 11 years ago (2013-03-31)
Legal statusexecutive non-departmental public body
PurposeComplaints about the Scottish police
Location
  • Hamilton Business Park, Caird Park, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
Region served
Scotland
Commissioner
John McNeill
Parent organization
Scottish Government

History

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It was created under the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006. The PCCS took over its role from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland on 1 April 2007. The first commissioner was Jim Martin.[1]

John McNeill succeeded Martin as Commissioner and assumed office on 17 August 2009, for a three-year term.[2] He was previously a prison governor in both Scotland and Northern Ireland.[3]

The Commissioner only handled non-criminal complaints; complaints involving allegations of criminality needed to be referred to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

In December 2009, McNeill responded to a 13% rise in complaints against the police in 2008/09 by stating: "I would argue that any increase in complaints arises in part from the public having more confidence in the police and expecting higher standards from them."[4]

In March 2010, McNeill urged Scottish police forces to adopt common guidelines about recording complaints.[5] Later that year McNeill reported a further rise in complaints received for the 2010/11 period, also noting that police bodies were highlighting in their final responses to complainers a right of redress to the commissioner.[6]

On 1 April 2013 it was replaced by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Police complaint body opens doors". BBC News. 2 April 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  2. ^ "News: Police Complaints Commissioner" (Press release). Scottish Government. 1 July 2009. Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  3. ^ "News: Appointment of new Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland". Police Complaints Commissioner Scotland. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  4. ^ "Complaints about Scottish police forces increase". BBC News. 8 December 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  5. ^ "Call for Scottish police complaints guidance". BBC News. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  6. ^ Rose, Gareth (4 September 2011). "Complaints to police watchdog rise by 70%". The Scotsman. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  7. ^ "About us". Police Investigations and Review Commissioner. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
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