| There were 118 allegations of misconduct made against the force between the start of July and end of September this year, Chief Constable Kevin Mathieson will tell Tayside Joint Police Board on Monday.
The most common type of complaints included assault (18), incivility (14) and neglect of duty (18).
In his report to the board, Mr Mathieson said the allegations had led to 114 complaint cases — a rise of 48% on the previous three-month period, where there were 77 such cases.
“The most significant change is reflected in the number of neglect of duty allegations which increased again this period, showing an increase of 19 (173%) this year to date compared with 2007,” he said.
“There is no apparent reason for this increase, however it may be explained that, by the public now having greater expectations of the policing service they expect to receive through our publication of our standards of service, they are more willing to complain.”
Mr Mathieson also highlighted the number of complaints related to policy or procedure had increased by 600% in the last year to 12 in 2008 to date from two during the same period in 2007.
However, he said, “Although these figures appear to be a dramatic increase in policy/procedure complaints, it should be noted that improved identification and recording of this type of complaints accounts for these changes.”
Figures obtained in the report also reveal five complaint cases led to misconduct procedures during the three-month period.
However, of the 104 complaint cases that have been disposed with during that period the majority were resolved by explanation to the complainer (50) or led to “No Proceedings” by the Procurator Fiscal (29).
A further 11 cases led to the staff member concerned being given advice.
The cost of investigating complaints during the three-month period was £37,672. |
