Police apologise to abuse victim

Officer made a ‘rude and unprofessional remark’

An Angus police officer will be “dealt with” after making an “unnecessary, rude and unprofessional” remark to a male domestic abuse victim.

The man has now received an official apology from Police Scotland’s Professional Standards Department following his treatment by PC Kirsty Hawkes.

The victim last night told The Courier it was “abhorrent” that it took Police Scotland nine months to apologise for what he described as “needless pantomime behaviour”.

The man, relocated for his own protection, went to Arbroath Police Station to report harassment after a woman posted his address on Facebook but was told it was “not a police matter” by PC Hawkes who also called the man a frequent complainer.

PC Hawkes said that at no point was it her intention to cause any upset.

Police Scotland has apologised to a male domestic abuse victim for his treatment by Angus officers.

The force’s Professional Standards Department in Glasgow upheld the complaint and blasted PC Kirsty Hawkes for being “rude and unprofessional”.

The victim last night told The Courier it was “abhorrent” that it has taken Police Scotland nine months to apologise for what he described as “needless pantomime behaviour”.

Angus area commander David Mcintosh was one of three Angus police officers slated for their handling of the man’s initial complaint by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc).

The man went to Arbroath Police Station to report harassment after a woman posted his address on Facebook but was told it was “not a police matter”.

His protest that PC Hawkes was dismissive, rude and unprofessional was thrown out by Mr Mcintosh, who denied his colleague had called the man a frequent complainer. But Pirc said Mr Mcintosh’s statement was “entirely at odds with the evidence available”.

The Professional Standards Department has concluded its own investigation into the recommendations which were made by Pirc.

Chief Inspector Derek Hiley told the victim: “The CCTV footage obtained was reviewed and clearly shows that Constable Hawkes was not rude during the majority of her engagement with you, however, she is overheard responding to a comment made by you in relation to making a complaint as you were leaving stating, ‘you do that, you like to make complaints’.

“I deem this remark unnecessary, rude and unprofessional and offer you an apology on behalf of Police Scotland.

“I am in a position to uphold the allegation and will ensure this matter is dealt with through line management to Constable Hawkes.

“I will take this opportunity to apologise that your complaints were not responded to appropriately in our initial response and trust the above information now explains matters.”

The domestic abuse victim said: “In their appeals they like to portray that they care and people should report domestic abuse – that is what I did and I was let down by Constable Hawkes.”

PC Hawkes stated she was not dismissive of the complaint and at no point was it her intention to cause upset. She said she was calm and not abusive in the manner in which she was speaking to the complainer although it was clear he was not happy with the advice provided.

gstrachan@thecourier.co.uk

I deem this remark unnecessary, rude and unprofessional and offer you an apology on behalf of Police Scotland. CHIEF INSPECTOR DEREK HILEY