Family and Friends Forum

In late March we were notified that my person's case would be NFAd (no further action) as police did not find any evidence of indecent images being present on any of the devices that were seized. This was obviously a massive relief to myself and my person. Our solicitor has since sent multiple emails and phone calls to the officer in charge asking for the seized devices to be returned to us. The officer has not responded to any inquiries that have been made. No reason has been given for the delay. My person wants to put in a complaint to the IOPC (Independent Office of Police Conduct) about it. Myself and my person suspect that the officer in charge is deliberately being awkward about returning devices as they are frustrated about the outcome of the investigation. All communication with the officer has been made through the solicitor, except for when the OIC originally came to the house for the "knock", and when my person had their interview. I don't particularly like the OIC, and I am sure they don't like me or my person. I've had no communication with them since the knock and I'd much prefer to keep it that way. My person has their own preferred words they use to describe the OIC, which wouldn't be appropriate for me to mention.

As things stand, it appears that there are no guidelines on when devices should be returned, and the timing appears to be entirely up to the officer concerned. I am sure they know it's causing frustration, and my person suspects the officer is trying to get one over on us by obstructing the return of the devices. Has anyone been in a similar situation regarding devices? How long did it take for devices to be returned if the case was NFAd?