News In Focus
2 July 2009
Next Police Complaints Commissioner appointed
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has appointed John McNeill as the new Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland (PCCS), replacing Jim Martin who recently stood down from the post.
The PCCS provides independent scrutiny of the way the police handle non-criminal complaints from the public. Mr McNeill will also have powers to direct police forces to re-examine any complaints that he considers have not been dealt with properly.
Investigations of criminal allegations about the police will continue to be handled by area procurators fiscal.
On taking up his role as PCCS, Mr McNeill will stand down from his positions with the Scottish Human Rights Commission and the Civil Nuclear Police Authority.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "I am confident that John McNeill will continue to set standards for the way the police handle complaints and, when something has gone wrong, help the police learn lessons and improve the way they work."
John McNeill said: “I am looking forward to building on the work Jim Martin did in establishing the position. I hope I can make a genuine difference to the service people receive from the Scottish police service."