Police complaints and misconduct - consultation response

The consultation response from Victim Support Scotland (VSS) regarding police complaints and misconduct highlights key positions of VSS. VSS supports the implementation of a statutory Code of Ethics for Police Scotland, emphasising that such a code should be a fundamental standard guiding professional behaviour. They agree that the Code should be regularly updated and that the responsibility for drafting it should lie jointly with the Chief Constable and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA). Additionally, VSS advocates for the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) to have statutory powers to compel police officers to attend interviews within a reasonable timeframe, a stance underscored by feedback from victims. VSS also supports amending the constable’s declaration to include an obligation to assist with investigations, reinforcing transparency and accountability in policing.