Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has ordered an urgent review of all call handling by Police Scotland.
It follows the death of Lamara Bell yesterday. The 25-year-old was discovered in a critical condition in a crashed car on the M9 next to her dead partner, John Yuill on Wednesday.
Police Scotland admitted the crash near Stirling was reported to them last Sunday, yet officers responded three days later. Chief Constable Sir Stephen House issued an apology on Friday.
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland will report back to the Scottish Government while a independent review by PIRC is continuing.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “I would like to convey my heartfelt sympathies on behalf of the First Minister, the Scottish Government and myself to the families of Lamara Bell and John Yuill. This is an extremely tragic case and I welcome the full investigation into what has happened that is being undertaken by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner. It is essential that answers are found quickly.
“It is on this basis that, following discussion with the First Minister, I have today directed Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary to undertake a formal investigation and review of call handling and process within Police Scotland’s Contact Command and Control Centres. I have spoken to the Chief Constable and this review has the full support of Police Scotland.
“This independent review will provide the Scottish Government with an accurate picture of capacity and capability at present, and clearly identify any issues so they can be promptly remedied. This will assist in providing assurance around the operation of call handling within Police Scotland’s Contact Command and Control Centres. On completion the report will be submitted to Ministers who will consider its recommendations.
"This will be a thorough and speedy review that will help to ensure that the people of Scotland can have full confidence in this vital public service."
In response to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice’s announcement, Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House said: ‘I welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s direction to HMICS to review our call handling procedures.
‘In light of recent tragic events, Police Scotland need to be able to reassure the Scottish public that we have both the capacity and the capability to deal with their calls to us, both in an emergency on 999 and in our 101 service.
‘It was with this intent I wrote to the Cabinet Secretary to ask that HMICS review our call handling procedures across the country, and offer recommendations if required.’
A spokesman for the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner said: “The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of John Yuill, 28, and Lamara Bell, 25, following the recovery of a car close to the motorway at Bannockburn on 8 July 2015 is at an early stage.
“The Commissioner will rigorously pursue a full independent investigation to establish the circumstances of what happened and will focus on why a telephone call made to Police Scotland three days earlier, which reported their car was off the road, was not followed up.
“The Commissioner will also examine the robustness of Police Scotland’s missing person enquiry and look at why that enquiry was not linked with the information received in the call, while examining the police procedures used to log this particular call made from a member of the public.
“Given the early stage of inquiries it is inappropriate to speculate as to what the outcome will be.”
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