Scotland's police watchdog has warned that a record caseload is threatening its ability to deliver timely investigations, with bereaved families and public confidence in policing accountability at risk.

Laura Paton, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), said her organisation is facing an unprecedented level of demand while taking on increasingly complex investigations, including deaths in police custody and following contact with officers.

The warning comes as PIRC braces for further work linked to Police Scotland's complaints backlog, while also preparing to take on additional responsibilities under new legislation.

Launching the watchdog's latest annual report, Ms Paton said the organisation was experiencing "a sustained increase in demand" that exceeded its available resources.

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She said: "We will take all reasonable steps to work efficiently, prioritise serious investigations, and maintain the quality of those investigations, however there is a limit to what we alone can achieve.

"In the absence of external intervention, such as a reduction in demand, additional funding or the delayed expansion of our statutory functions, a further deterioration in the timeliness of our investigations is inevitable.

"This means that we will not be able to deliver the service that the public rightly expects; this will affect bereaved families and complainers, as well as confidence in police accountability and policing itself."

Latest figures show PIRC is currently managing 191 investigations, including 49 deaths, marking the highest number of simultaneous death investigations in the body's history.

During the year to March 31, 2026, PIRC launched 41 death investigations, up from 18 the previous year, an increase of 128%. Seven involved domestic abuse-related homicides and suicides.

The watchdog investigates deaths involving the police, allegations of police criminality, misconduct by senior officers and matters including firearms incidents. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service can direct investigations, policing bodies can refer them, or the commissioner can initiate them in the public interest.

The annual report reveals PIRC received 745 referrals during the reporting period and escalated 185 to full investigation.

Of those, 175 were instructed by the Crown Office, accounting for 95% of all investigations, leaving less scope for PIRC to launch inquiries under its own discretionary powers.

While PIRC met its target of completing 80% of its most serious Category A investigations within 90 days, performance slipped from 100% the previous year to 83%.

The watchdog also missed its target for Category B and C investigations, completing 71% within 120 days against a target of 80%.

At the same time, demand for complaint handling reviews continued to rise.

Applications from members of the public increased by 29%, involving the assessment of 965 individual allegations.

Although PIRC exceeded its performance targets for handling complaints, Ms Paton said Police Scotland's own complaints processes remained a cause for concern.

She said: "Police Scotland's complaint handling performance is of considerable concern. Not only are members of the public waiting too long but the number of those who remain dissatisfied with the response and apply to PIRC for a review has increased.

"We have also noted delays in Police Scotland's implementation of the recommendations arising from our reviews. This concerning trend is being closely monitored."

The commissioner said preparations were also under way for expanded powers under the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act 2025.

"We are committed to strengthening independent investigation and oversight of complaints," she said.

"Taking on new work when current demand already exceeds our capacity is challenging.

"We are therefore engaging in constructive discussions with the Scottish Government to explore how we achieve a corresponding increase in resourcing to support these additional functions."

The annual report also details a strategic review of the organisation, which has set a new direction for the period 2026-29, alongside the establishment of a new statutory advisory board.