Scots cops given free reign to smash down doors in line of duty following watchdog probe
Top brass insist frontline officers who force their way into properties when looking for vulnerable people or those in danger will 'never be criticised'
COPS have been given free reign to smash down doors in the line of duty.
Top brass insist frontline officers who force their way into properties when looking for vulnerable people or those in danger will “never be criticised”.
It comes after Police Scotland was slammed by a watchdog over its handling of the search for a woman in Glasgow who was later found dead.
Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: “If you as a police officer respond to a call where there is concern about the vulnerability of a person, then do not leave that call until you’ve explored every avenue.
“If that means you have to put a door in, even in a sheltered housing complex, to reassure yourself as an officer that there is not somebody behind that door who is in distress, then please go ahead and do that.
“You will never be criticised for that.
"Our action should absolutely centre on vulnerability.
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“Any issues of costs or concerns about repairing damaged doors or whatever; they come a long way down the line.”
In February last year the body of a vulnerable 65-year-old woman was found ten hours after care workers raised concerns about her safety.
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner said she was last seen alive by two care workers in her city home.
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A probe found two officers sent to her home decided not to force entry after speaking to their supervisor.
Last night, Labour justice spokesman Daniel Johnson urged cops not to take the news as “a green light to storm properties”.
He said: “That power must be used responsibly and only when there is a genuine concern.”
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