Arrests made throughout occasions to commemorate the dying of the Queen in Scotland have been to not do with protests, Police Scotland has mentioned.
Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone mirrored on the policing response throughout Operation Unicorn at a Scottish Police Authority (SPA) assembly on Thursday.
Sir Iain praised the efforts of the service in guaranteeing occasions referring to the Queen’s dying have been held “safely, securely and with dignity”.
He mentioned: “As is so typically the case in instances of disappointment or nationwide problem, responsibility requires policing to step ahead with compassion and professionalism – people throughout the police service setting apart private plans at extraordinarily quick discover to offer public service.
“Police Scotland had an essential function to play to make sure that important occasions referring to Her Majesty’s dying may very well be held safely, securely and with dignity.
“As chief constable, I had a transparent and categorical expectation that officers and workers would reply to this essential and solemn event with professionalism and excessive requirements, and so they did.
“Everybody in Police Scotland performed their half. Those that deliberate the response over a few years, these immediately supporting Operation Unicorn and being operationally deployed, and others who offered efficient policing proper throughout the nation throughout this intense interval.”
Sir Iain confirmed 13 arrests have been made throughout the entire of Scotland throughout Operation Unicorn, with offences together with “low-level dysfunction, violence, abusive and threatening behaviour, and the unlawful use of drones”.
One among these arrests has already seen a 74-year-old man plead responsible to breach of the peace close to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, receiving a £350 tremendous.
The chief constable mentioned there have been “no safety breaches, no important violence or dysfunction, no issues of safety and comparatively few arrests amongst numerous interactions and engagements between officers and our fellow residents over the course of the Operation Unicorn interval”.
The drive has are available in for criticism since quite a few folks protesting towards the monarchy have been arrested whereas occasions came about.
However Sir Iain instructed the SPA that whereas campaigning and protesting is a “legit, essential, very important a part of civic life”, abusive or threatening behaviour isn't “legit protest”.
Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham mentioned there have been no arrests made towards folks protesting the monarchy throughout the proceedings.
“We're acutely conscious whereas upholding the rights of the distinction between freedom of speech and the place there are situations of breaches of the legislation by public dysfunction or different offences being dedicated,” he mentioned.
“There haven’t been any arrests for folks protesting, as is clearly the case to members.”
Sir Iain mentioned Police Scotland would assess any issues raised over policing throughout the interval.
He mentioned: “I categorically undertake, as I've completed constantly since holding workplace as chief constable, that if we now have received one thing fallacious in a particular set of circumstances, or we might have completed one thing higher, we'll acknowledge that and we'll take essential and proportionate motion to place it proper.”
A “full and thorough” debrief will probably be carried out to mirror on classes realized throughout Operation Unicorn, he added.