Police Scotland referred to watchdog over deaths of six people over two month period

A police watchdog has been asked to investigate the deaths of six people in two months who died after coming into contact with officers.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) has been instructed to investigate the deaths of three people following police contact, two deaths following an incident involving police and one death in police custody between December 2023 and January 2024.

Four deaths were referred by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in December – double the number reported on any other month throughout the year.

A further three deaths were sent to the watchdog for further investigation in January, also higher than any number reported throughout the year.

PIRC has been instructed to investigate the circumstances of the deaths of the five men and one woman.

The investigations include the death of a 43-year-old man in Perth on December 3 who died following police contact; the death of a 46-year-old man following police contact in Johnstone on December 12; the death of a 37-year-old woman in Perth on December 19 following an incident involving police; the death of a 42-year-old man following an incident involving police in Paisley; the death of a 37-year-old man following police contact in Aberdeen on January 15 and the death of a 35-year-old man while in custody at Kirkcaldy Police Station on January 22.

While PIRC has no punitive powers, they report their findings back to the policing body with recommendations and notify the COPFS when any evidence of criminality is found.

PIRC also investigates whenever a firearm is discharged by Police Scotland.

The watchdog has been asked to look into the use of a firearm to kill a dog that had attacked two men and attempted to attack an officer in Hamilton on January 22.

Last year, PIRC was asked to examine complaints of Police Scotland’s handling of the investigation into the death of charity cyclist Tony Parsons.

A spokesperson for the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner said: “Our list of live investigations is not exhaustive and includes only the most serious incidents, including fatalities. Our current published live investigations include three such death investigations in December 2023 and three in January 2024. Such investigations are on the instructions of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. We therefore cannot comment further.

“We also do not set a time limit for our investigations. We will consider cases to remain live until the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have taken a final decision following the receipt of our report.”