‘Admission of guilt’ over 999 calls ahead of student death
● Student, 23, found dead on beach after police phoned by public
The father of a student whose body was found on a beach said acknowledgement from police that 999 calls had been mishandled felt like “an admission of guilt”.
Scott Calder, 23, was found dead on the beach in Longniddry Bents, East Lothian, on 14 October after a night out at a beer festival with friends.
The Masters student was very drunk and became separated from his friends, and was seen staggering along a country road on 13 October.
Several members of the public dialled 999 to report concerns for Mr Calder, and others at the festival said they told nearby officers about his condition.
Police did pick him up in their car, assessed him and decided he was safe to be left alone before dropping him at a remote bus stop without a phone or wallet. He was found dead around a mile away the following morning.
His parents, Brian and Karen Calder, have called for a Fatal Accident Inquiry into his death.
Mr Calder said he had been told by Police Scotland that a “notable incident” had been recorded regarding the handling of 999 calls – a phrase used when police performance is “likely to have a significant impact on the reputation” of the force.
He described the acknowledgement that there had been failings as “feeling like an admission of guilt”.
0 Scott Calder, 23, was found dead on a beach after a night out
Mr Calder said: “Only a few days ago I was told that calls about Scott had been designated as a notable incident.
“I was told about this as a courtesy, with no other details as to what exactly this incident meant or what it involved.
“Police Scotland say they encourage their officers and staff to capture incidents where there may be an opportunity for additional training, a change in the process or
improvementintheirservices to the public.
“To the layman this was and is an admission of guilt. I feel as though this is the first time they are possibly acknowledging something went wrong that night.
“We knew this all along but wish we hadn’t had to wait for 21 weeks for this to emerge.”
Fewer than 1 per cent of calls to Police Scotland result in notable incidents, according to official figures. Police Scotland referred the circumstances of Mr Calder’s death to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, which decided officers acted appropriately.
Last week officers made submissions to the Crown Office, which will now consider whether any other action should be taken.