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.
| Abbreviation | PCCS |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland |
| Successor | Police Investigations and Review Commissioner |
| Formation | 1 April 2007 |
| Dissolved | 31 March 2013 |
| Legal status | executive non-departmental public body |
| Purpose | Complaints about the Scottish police |
| Location |
|
Region served | Scotland |
Commissioner | John McNeill |
Parent organization | Scottish Government |
History
editIt 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
edit- Independent Police Complaints Commission - corresponding body in England and Wales
References
edit- ^ "Police complaint body opens doors". BBC News. 2 April 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
- ^ "News: Police Complaints Commissioner" (Press release). Scottish Government. 1 July 2009. Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
- ^ "News: Appointment of new Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland". Police Complaints Commissioner Scotland. 5 August 2009. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ "Complaints about Scottish police forces increase". BBC News. 8 December 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
- ^ "Call for Scottish police complaints guidance". BBC News. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
- ^ Rose, Gareth (4 September 2011). "Complaints to police watchdog rise by 70%". The Scotsman. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
- ^ "About us". Police Investigations and Review Commissioner. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
External links
edit- archive of www.pcc-scotland.org
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