A 31-year-old man has died and a police officer has been injured as officers tried to arrest a suspect armed with a knife.
Police Scotland immediately referred yesterday's (sun) tragedy in Kirkcaldy, Fife, to the independent investigations body as a senior officer described the incident as a 'tragic set of circumstances.'
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), which examines the most serious of complaints against the police, is now leading an inquiry into the matter.
Police said the female officer was not stabbed, although her condition was not known last night.
Fife Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Garry McEwan said: "This is a tragic set of circumstances and my condolences go to the man's family.
"The investigation of deaths in Scotland is the responsibility of Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, who have instructed the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner to lead on this enquiry."
PIRC Kate Frame, a former prosecutor, previously lead the division of the Crown Office that deals with police complaints.
The body's lead investigator is John Mitchell, a former high ranking Strathclyde officer. The PIRC was unavailable for comment.
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