Scottish Police to Survey Detainees on Custody Experience

Police Scotland has unveiled a novel initiative to gather feedback from individuals who have spent time in custody, sparking debate among law enforcement professionals and politicians. The "custody user experience survey" aims to collect insights from detainees via text message following their release.

David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, expressed skepticism about the scheme, stating, "It's all rather bizarre." He added, "If you've spent the night in a police cell, you're not exactly going to say: 'Thanks very much, I enjoyed my stay.'" Some officers have reportedly likened the survey to a Tripadvisor review, highlighting the unusual nature of the initiative.

The survey's introduction comes at a time when Scotland's justice system is already known for its unique features. For instance, Scotland maintains its own legal system separate from the rest of the UK and employs a distinctive "not proven" verdict in addition to guilty and not guilty. The country also boasts a lower crime rate compared to England and Wales.

Critics argue that the scheme could potentially be exploited by detainees to lodge complaints about their arrest, potentially leading to unnecessary investigations and wasted police resources. An unnamed officer expressed embarrassment over the initiative, stating, "We're not listed on Booking.com or Tripadvisor, we're a police force trying to do our jobs the best we can."

Political opposition has also emerged, with Sharon Dowey, the Scottish Tories' deputy justice spokesman, cautioning that officers' time could be better spent on more pressing matters than conducting "customer-satisfaction surveys on behalf of suspected criminals."

Despite the criticism, Police Scotland defends the initiative. A spokesperson explained, "Our user experience survey will give us a better understanding of why individuals are in custody, any additional support or referrals required, and will build a picture of the experience of custody across Scotland." The force emphasizes that the survey aims to reduce reoffending and address the complex welfare and healthcare needs of vulnerable individuals in custody.

It's worth noting that Police Scotland, formed in 2013 by merging eight regional forces, is the second-largest police force in the UK after the Metropolitan Police. The force operates within a distinct legal landscape, with the Scottish Parliament holding control over policing matters.

The survey is set to launch later this year, as Police Scotland continues to engage with partner organizations. As the debate unfolds, it remains to be seen how this unconventional approach to gathering feedback will impact the Scottish justice system and its efforts to reduce crime and support vulnerable individuals.

"People have a right to complain, but the way they are going about this just seems very strange."