Top police complaints should be ‘fast tracked’

Any complaint against the head of police in Scotland should be fast tracked to avoid “paralysing” the force, MSPS have heard.

Gill Imery, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, said concerns have been raised over how the priority of investigations is established.

She said the existing situation where a complaint investigation into an officer ends if he or she leaves the force, as happened with former Police Scotland Chief Constable Phil Gormley, was “unsatisfactory”. Mr Gormley quit his post in February five months after he had been placed on special leave amid investigations into claims of gross misconduct, which he has denied.

Questioned by Holyrood’s justice committee, Ms Imery said: “I agree that it is unsatisfactory, both for the person 0 Gill Imery was quizzed by Holyrood’s justice committee

making the complaint and for the individual who has been publicly been accused of the behaviours.”

Committee convener Margaret Mitchell asked: “If the complaint involves the very top of the police force, the chief constable, should that be fast tracked?”

Ms Imery replied: “Absolutely. The more quickly such an issue could be addressed and concluded – one way or another – the better.”