Police to look at complaints procedures

POLICE chiefs have been ordered to review the force’s handling of complaints.

The review was commissioned in the wake of a complaint made against Deputy Chief Constable Steven Allen.

An individual had complained to the force about its response to an incident when they were threatened by neighbours in 2010. After receiving a letter in the deputy chief’s name, the complainer lodged a second complaint, against Mr Allen, alleging “wilful or careless falsehood” in his response.

Mr Allen was cleared by the police board and the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland, but the board said the system should be reviewed to see if fewer senior officers could deal with complaints.

A spokesman said: “The Police Board has instructed the force to carry out a review of complaint handling procedures, and a report will be submitted to the board in due course.”