Professional Standards Department

The Professional Standards Department of Tayside Police has a responsibility for, and is committed to, ensuring that all staff within the force carry out their duties with integrity and in a professional, caring and sensitive manner at all times. It is when staff fail to carry out their duties in accordance with these principles or public expectations are not met, that complaints can arise.

The Professional Standards Department co-ordinates the investigation of complaints in the force, from internal as well as external sources, that allege serious breaches of conduct and discipline on the part of any member of its staff. Complaints about the police may involve allegations of criminal conduct, serious misconduct and quality of service issues.

It is essential that all complaints about the police are investigated thoroughly, fairly, impartially and objectively with a view to resolving them to the satisfaction of the person complaining although it is accepted that this may not always be possible.

The Professional Standards Department is headed by a Superintendent and is based at Police Headquarters, West Bell Street, Dundee.

The Department co-ordinates the investigation of complaints about the force and members of its staff and acts on behalf of the Deputy Chief Constable who has overall responsibility for disciplinary matters.