Investigator had no unconscious bias training

A police watchdog senior investigator had received no training in unconscious bias when he began investigating the death of Sheku Bayoh, an inquiry has heard.

Keith Harrower, a senior investigator for the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc), told the Sheku Bayoh inquiry he now has a “better understanding” of unconscious bias since receiving training on the issue.

Mr Bayoh, 31, a fatherof-two, died after he was restrained on the ground by six police officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife, on May 3 2015.

The inquiry is examining the circumstances leading to his death, how police dealt with the aftermath, the investigation into his death, and whether or not race was a factor.

Senior counsel Angela Grahame KC asked Mr Harrower if he was able to“protect” himself from unconsciousbias in his line of duty.

Mr Harrower, who has worked for Pirc since 2013, told the KC: “I’ve had trainingon unconscious bias, but that was after this incident.”

The lawyer then asked if he feels he is in a better position to mitigate unconscious bias now that he has received training.

He said: “Yeah, I would think so.”

The inquiry moved on to discuss concerns cited by Mr Bayoh’s partner, Colette Bell.

Ms Bell previously told the inquiry, last February, that Pirc is “made up of ex-police officers”, stating she had “lost all trust” in the police and Pirc, as she thought they were formed mostly of former police staff.

Ms Grahame asked Mr Harrower if he could comment on this, to which he said Pirc is “not made up of 100 per cent police officers”, and that the workforce consists of a wide range of investigators from a number of professional backgrounds.

The inquiry, before Lord Bra ca dale, continue sat capital House in Edinburgh.