Glasgow mum Stephanie Bonner to help shape Police Reform Bill

Stephanie Bonner has faced a near five-year fight for change following the unexplained death of her son Rhys.

The brave Barlanark mother and community activist Alex O’Kane have now provided written evidence to the Scottish Government’s Criminal Justice Committee outlining several key factors they feel should have been handled differently after the teenager’s body was found on marshland between Easterhouse and Gartloch Village in August 2019.

The document will now be considered by the panel’s members as part of its remit to shape the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill.

The Glasgow Times has viewed the submission, which details the anguish Stephanie, 39, has endured since her son's half-naked body was discovered.

Rhys Bonner (Image: Rhys Bonner (Image: Supplied))

Stephanie and Alex will share their views at a meeting to be held at the Scottish Parliament next month before the Bill becomes law.

It aims to ensure that there are robust, clear and transparent mechanisms in place for investigating complaints, allegations of misconduct or other issues relating to the conduct of Scotland’s police officers.

The legislation intends to embed good practice and underline the importance of maintaining the high standards expected of the force.

Speaking exclusively to the Glasgow Times, Stephanie said: “This a huge step forward, I’ll never stop fighting for justice for my boy. I welcome the opportunity to help shape any new legislation that will make the police more accountable.

“There needs to be change in how unexplained deaths are investigated and how families are treated. I’m pleased that this is finally set to happen as I don’t want another family to go through the pain that we have endured. I’ve only ever wanted answers about my son’s death, and I still don’t have them to this day.

“I think about Rhys all the time, it breaks my heart that he’s not here with me. He had everything to live for and was such a kind, caring and brilliant boy. I know he would be so proud of what we’ve achieved.

“I’ve never been told the exact spot his body was found, so I still don’t know where to place flowers or visit to fee close to him. That’s an unbearable pain for any mother to carry.”

Stephanie’s evidence is supporting several sections of the Bill. These include introducing a requirement for Police Scotland to respond to recommendations in complaint handling reviews and provide details on what they have done or propose to do in response to these recommendations within a timescale set out by the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC). The changes will also allow PIRC to take over a complaint in certain circumstances rather than simply reviewing how it has been handled. It will also give the watchdog direct access to Police Scotland’s electronic database to view records and files.

READ MORE: Cambuslang man wins court fight against gardening firm.

We previously told how Stephanie gave evidence to the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee last year after a petition was raised by her and Alex calling for improvements to how unexplained deaths are dealt with.

Alex, who has been instrumental in spearheading Stephanie’s campaign, added: “This humble lady wanted to help others after her own terrible loss. She wanted to help reform the standards expected of Police Scotland - and now she is an integral part of that ongoing process.”

Police Scotland claim Rhys’s death was fully investigated and declared it 'not suspicious'.

In December 2022, PIRC upheld four complaints submitted by the family, including one that officers had provided the family with the incorrect coordinates of where Rhys’ body was discovered.

It was also found that Police Scotland failed to facilitate a site visit for the family’s representative and didn’t address contradictions and anomalies surrounding Rhys’ death.

A Criminal Justice Committee spokesperson said: “A written submission on the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill, will now be considered as part of the committee’s scrutiny of the Bill.