Police complaints body calls for power to compel officers to give evidence

The head of the police complaints watchdog has called for further powers in order to force officers to give evidence.

Kate Frame, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, told the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee yesterday one investigation had been “challenging”.

She said: “The investigation which I speak about has caused us to reflect.

“I think that it may be worthy that the Scottish government potentially look at whether or not there would be an option to consider a precognition on oath of witnesses where they were not being as cooperative perhaps as we would like.”

After the death of Sheku Bayoh in police custody last year, the role of the PIRC was brought into question. It came in for criticism after taking over a month to obtain evidence from officers at the scene.

At present the body lacks the power to compel witnesses to give evidence.