It is essential that the police retain the confidence and co-operation of the general public. In order to inspire confidence in the criminal justice system, any misconduct or behaviour of a criminal nature by serving police officers must be investigated speedily and thoroughly.
Complaints of criminal conduct by police officers in the course of their duty are investigated by Area Procurators Fiscal. They take their role in this very seriously: all complaints are carefully investigated and independently and impartially considered before any decision to prosecute a police officer is taken.
Where the investigation shows that there has been no criminal offence committed but that the police officer acted inappropriately the case can be referred to senior police officers in the police force for internal police disciplinary procedures.
Complaints of criminal conduct by police officers when they are off-duty are reported to the local Procurator Fiscal who will decide in the normal way whether there is sufficient evidence to commence criminal proceedings in the public interest.