POLICE Scotland have given reassurances of their “almost evangelical” commitment to improvements in custody services since the death of a man in a Dunfermline cell.

In August 2014, a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Cowdenbeath man James Bell (31) at Dunfermline Police Station highlighted serious flaws in how the case was handled.

The Press told you how Mr Bell, of Dalbeath Crescent, was found unconscious in a police cell in June 2011.

He had been twice taken to Queen Margaret Hospital’s A&E department on 4th June 2011 suffering from methadone overdose, receiving injections of naloxone on both occasions.

Mr Bell left hospital both times, the second time ignoring a clear warning that he could be putting himself at serious risk by not staying in to be observed.

He was later taken in by police after being found walking on the M90 around 5.30am on 5th June.

Following the inquiry, Sheriff Ian Abercrombie criticised police in Fife and made a series of recommendations.

At Fife Council’s safer communities community recently, councillors heard that “significant improvements” had been made in Scotland’s custody services since Mr Bell’s death – including a new standard operating procedure, training regime and cell visit system.

Police Scotland custody division commander Chief Superintendent Ciorstan Shearer said, “We have a duty of care for the people who are brought into custody.

“We have a very intensive scrutiny and governance regime in place.

“We take custody in Police Scotland incredibly seriously. We treat people in custody with respect, fairness and dignity.

“I can never say that people won’t die in custody and I’m afraid that can on occasion occur but we do our best on every occasion to try to avoid that.” Mr Bell was required to be observed every 30 minutes but the FAI found that at least one visit recorded had not been made.

Ch Insp Shearer added, “It’s really important we get a distinct verbal response. A grunt is not sufficient, moving a shoulder is not sufficient.

“It doesn’t matter if they tell us to ‘sod off’, that means they are alive and we write that down on the cell sheet.” Dunfermline councillor Helen Law said the presentation had been “very, very reassuring”.

She continued, “When there’s a death in custody, it’s an absolute tragedy. What’s happening now is what should have been happening all along.

“When folk are taken into custody, it’s the responsibility of the police to see to their wellbeing.

“The reason why people are taken into custody is because they can’t look after themselves – it could related to drugs, alcohol or mental health issues.

“The police have now put into place very rigorous checks – the officer said they are almost evangelical in their commitment and responsibility taken and there’s a much greater diligence in the way folk are looked after.

“I was very reassured by the presentation that there’s been a sea change in how it’s been taken forward.”