Police Scotland's latest failing.

[Foxholer]

Some sort of inquiry is definitely called for imo - and I hate such things that can drag on for years, costing huge amounts, have very little real effect as 'culprits' can say 'well things have moved on since this incident' and it doesn't help victims anyway!

There have been several UK Govt implementation/new system change disasters in the past, so there's quite possibly an integration or resourcing issue. Whoever is 'to blame' is likely to cover it up without such an inquiry! It's quite possible that the perceived funding requirements have been provided by the Scottish government and poorly managed/implemented by the Police; there may not have been enough funding; or the system is just not fit for purpose (as appeared to be the case in more than one English example). I'm not generally one to blame the Party in power for such disasters - certain policy decisions apart - at least, not until the next election. The were elected on their manifesto/policies by the electorate and all parties are equally capable (or incapable) of actually running their departments imo! Should a subsequent inquiry determine that there was ministerial culpability though, then I'd be all for appropriate treatment - sacking being the norm!

I believe it's this (possible governmental screw-up) sort of issue where the media has an important part to play in getting things out in the open! Unfortunately, for one reason or another, they don't seem to do sufficient such investigations imo. I believe there's often too much interdependence rather than independence involved! And whistle-blowers are still not protected enough imo!

But it's no help to these victims, apparently one of whom may have been save-able with better response. Very sad to hear.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Sad to hear the young girl has died as well. I wonder how they will attempt to investigate this and will it be the call handler left to carry the can

 

[Blue in Munich]

Sad to hear the young girl has died as well. I wonder how they will attempt to investigate this and will it be the call handler left to carry the can

Well on the face of what's been said, any blame would appear to rest on a call handler who took a call and then did nothing with it. The investigation will probably look at what the call said, why it came in on the non-emergency line and the circumstances why the call was not entered onto the system; was there another urgent incident immediately after this call came in, what were the staff manning levels, etc, but if the incoming call never left the call centre for the troops on the ground to deal with it's hard to see it resting anywhere else.

 

[FairwayDodger]

A big part of the problem is that the police do not attend RTAs nowadays if they can possibly avoid it. Basically if you don't tell them somebody has been injured you're on your own.

 

[Blue in Munich]

A big part of the problem is that the police do not attend RTAs nowadays if they can possibly avoid it. Basically if you don't tell them somebody has been injured you're on your own.

On ordinary roads yes; there shouldn't be a need to report in most damage onlys if the drivers exchange the relevant details, and the overworked foot duty bods would end up dealing with them so I understand the reluctance, but I'd be very surprised if that was the case on fast roads which should have dedicated patrols, be they police or the PCSO equivalent. That said, that's based on the way of things south of the border so it may be totally different t'other side of the wall.

 

[FairwayDodger]

On ordinary roads yes; there shouldn't be a need to report in most damage onlys if the drivers exchange the relevant details, and the overworked foot duty bods would end up dealing with them so I understand the reluctance, but I'd be very surprised if that was the case on fast roads which should have dedicated patrols, be they police or the PCSO equivalent. That said, that's based on the way of things south of the border so it may be totally different t'other side of the wall.

I disagree. My other half was involved in an accident where nobody was hurt, by some miracle, but the other driver definitely needed breathalysed. Even if sober he needed to be prosecuted for his shocking driving. The guy got away with it and might kill someone next time.

Not blaming actual police officers but the police service is failing us.

 

[c1973]

From what I'm reading it was a 'senior officer' who took the call but was 'a bit rusty with computers', so left a handwritten note for someone else to deal with.

If true, then I think that is shocking, absolutely appaling and inexcusable.



The fact remains two people are dead here. It's possible they could have been saved.

Imo, and it is only that, it stems from the centralisation of the police forces and budget cuts by the incumbent devolved government, as well as poor management of resources (mainly by the ACC overseeing the changes to the call centre/reporting).

The warning signs were there apparently and have not been heeded.



I for one do not have confidence in the investigation to be carried out (the police investigating the police??) and believe a public inquiry should have been instigated. I have a feeling the brush has already started moving this under the carpet.
The families....and the country btw, deserve better.

 

[Blue in Munich]

I disagree. My other half was involved in an accident where nobody was hurt, by some miracle, but the other driver definitely needed breathalysed. Even if sober he needed to be prosecuted for his shocking driving. The guy got away with it and might kill someone next time.

Not blaming actual police officers but the police service is failing us.

Then that's not a damage only, it's a damage only with allegations and if they didn't respond to that on the basis of the drink drive then I'd be extremely disappointed.

The vast majority of police officers try their damnedest to provide a good service but are frequently hamstrung by the politics of policing.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Then that's not a damage only, it's a damage only with allegations and if they didn't respond to that on the basis of the drink drive then I'd be extremely disappointed.

The vast majority of police officers try their damnedest to provide a good service but are frequently hamstrung by the politics of policing.

She was too shocked and upset by what happened so didn't suggest it. I wasn't there but judging by what he did he was either under the influence or just a complete maniac.

 

[Khamelion]

A big part of the problem is that the police do not attend RTAs nowadays if they can possibly avoid it. Basically if you don't tell them somebody has been injured you're on your own.

The police not attending RTA's is not a new things, nigh on 30yrs ago a car my mate was driving crashed due to some knob overtaking on the brow of a hill, the two cars were embedded in each other up on the pavement. Panda car went by, slowed had a quick look and drove on, so no not a new thing, the police have been ignoring RTA's for a long time.

 

[freddielong]

I disagree. My other half was involved in an accident where nobody was hurt, by some miracle, but the other driver definitely needed breathalysed. Even if sober he needed to be prosecuted for his shocking driving. The guy got away with it and might kill someone next time.

Not blaming actual police officers but the police service is failing us.

I agree the police should go to all RTAS as sometimes it is a symptom of something else, why should a drunk driver get away with a collision out of the pure luck of not actually injuring someone.