MSPs unanimously back principles of Police Scotland complaints reform bill
MSPs have backed the general principles of a police complaints reform bill in a unanimous vote. The Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) Bill was designed in response to a review by former Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini of the system.
The Bill - if passed - would place a duty of candour on Police Scotland officers and the force itself in relation to complaints, while also allowing for some disciplinary hearings to be heard in public.
A revision to be made by the Government will expand the duty of candour to police and Scottish Police Authority (SPA) staff.
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A police code of ethics would also be created, while the powers of the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) would be expanded. MSPs unanimously backed the Bill at stage one on Tuesday.
Speaking in Holyrood, Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: "The Bill was shaped by those who have had lived experience of the police complaints system, many of whom felt that the whole system was against them, that they became the victim and that there was no independent body to turn to."
She went on to thank Police Scotland officers and staff, saying "the vast vast majority of whom conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism".
Ms Constance added: "Ensuring public trust in the police service is vital and we know that we need strong processes in place to deal with complaints and allegations of wrongdoing about the police to secure that trust, and that is at the heart of this police Bill.
"It aims to strengthen public confidence in Police Scotland, a service that operates under the principle of policing by consent."
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