Further to the answer to question S1W-29010 by Mr Jim Wallace on 11 October 2002, whether it will detail the changes in the national record…

Answered Asked by Gil Paterson SNP Lodged 18 Oct 2002

The question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29010 by Mr Jim Wallace on 11 October 2002, whether it will detail the changes in the national recording of complaints against the police that were introduced in 2001 and how such complaints are defined.

The answer

Answered by Jim Wallace on 12 Nov 2002 · 25 days after it was lodged, on time

Under revised recording procedures introduced in 2001, statistics on complaints against the police are now defined to include: "any complaint made by or on behalf of any person against one or more on duty members of a police force and from which it may reasonably be inferred that any act or omission which was made or committed by any of the individuals concerned amounts, or may amount, to a criminal offence or professional misconduct". As a result, the statistics now include complaints classified as minor or trivial, as well as complaints against special constables and police support staff. The information from which national statistics are published is as provided to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (and separately to Audit Scotland) by individual forces.

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-30792 by reference.