Police ‘in bid to hide possible crimes by officers’

POLICE chiefs have been accused of trying to hide potentially criminal acts by officers.

Concerns have been raised that the Scots force uses ‘ethical shortcuts’ when officers face criminal allegations by mis-recording complaints.

Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) Kate Frame said an allegation of someone being punched in the face by an officer was recorded as ‘excessive force’ instead of assault.

Giving evidence to Holyrood’s justice committee earlier this month, she also cited a complaint of being ‘unlawfully detained’ being treated as a ‘quality of service complaint’.

At the time, Assistant Chief Constable Alan Speirs hit back, saying all complaints are subject to ‘fair and rigorous’ investigation.

But in a submission published yesterday, the commissioner said she set out ‘evidence of Police Scotland recording serious criminal allegations inappropriately’. She said the way the unlawful detention complaint was recorded had ‘prevented an independent Pirc criminal investigation taking place at the point the complaint was made’.

The submission read: ‘Far from this case being in ACC Speirs’ view “indicative of the transparency of a process which has facilitated further inquiry” it is, in fact, an illustration of Police Scotland’s unwillingness to recognise serious failings… and suggests an endeavour to keep those matters hidden.’

Mr Speirs said: ‘We’ve written to the justice committee setting out our position with regards to a number of inaccuracies contained within the evidence given by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.’

All complaints were ‘fully recorded and subject to fair and rigorous investigation’.

‘Unwillingness to recognise failings’