[1] In June 2014 Kate Frame was appointed as the new Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, taking up the post in August.

[2] In June 2019 Michelle Macleod was appointed by ministers as the new Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, taking up the post in the August of that year.

[3] The PIRC have previously been criticised for using 'oppressive and dehumanising tactics' as part of its investigations by the body which represents police officers in Scotland, who stated that its members were fast losing confidence in the 'effectiveness and genuine independence' of the organisation.

In May 2018, prominent lawyer Aamer Anwar called on the Commissioner Kate Frame to resign after claiming that organisation had failed to adhere to its values of integrity, impartiality and respect in relation to the investigation into the death of Sheku Bayoh.

[5] The PIRC provides independent scrutiny of how police bodies respond to complaints from members of the public.