33AGeneral functions of the Commissioner

The Commissioner's general functions are—

a

to maintain, and to secure the maintenance by the Authority and the chief constable of, suitable arrangements for—

i

the handling of relevant complaints; and

ii

the examination of the handling of relevant complaints and the reconsideration of such complaints in accordance with sections 34 to 41;

b

where directed to do so by the appropriate prosecutor—

i

to investigate any circumstances in which there is an indication that a person serving with the police may have committed an offence;

ii

to investigate, on behalf of the relevant procurator fiscal, the circumstances of any death involving a person serving with the police which that procurator fiscal is required to investigate under section 1 of the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976 (c.14);

c

where requested to do so by the Authority or the chief constable, to investigate and report on certain serious incidents involving the police (see section 41B); and

d

to investigate other matters relating to the Authority or the Police Service where the Commissioner considers that it would be in the public interest to do so (see section 41C).