Who We Are

The Scottish Police Authority is independent of both the Scottish Government and policing. It is the primary governance body for policing in Scotland, and was established as a public body on 1 April 2013 by the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012. It was set up to hold the Chief Constable to account; promote, support and oversee improvement in policing. It is also responsible for the management and delivery of Forensic Services in Scotland and Independent Custody Visiting Scotland.

In this section, find out more about the Authority’s priorities, the Board and the Leadership team.

Who We Are

What We Do

The Scottish Police Authority is responsible for maintaining policing. It has four specific areas of responsibility:

promoting the policing principles

supporting continuous improvement

keeping policing under review

holding the Chief Constable to account.

This section tells you in outline what the Authority does.

What We Do

Complaints

Are you dissatisfied with the service you have received from policing in Scotland?

The Scottish Police Authority, Police Scotland and the Police Investigations and Reviews Commissioner (PIRC) all have a role to play in considering complaints about policing in Scotland.

In this section, find out who to direct your complaint to. We also welcome written communication in Gaelic (see our Gaelic Language Plan).

Complaints

News

The Scottish Police Authority communicates regularly about our role, activities and oversight of policing in Scotland.

You can find all our latest news articles listed in date order. You can also search these by topic or year.

Showing 37 to 45 of 45 results

SPA announces permanent Chief Executive appointment

Published: 03 February 2023

Workforce

View Article

Summary: Authority Meeting 24 February 2021

Published: 02 February 2023

Workforce Performance

View Article

Police Scotland Workforce plan considered at Authority meeting

Published: 02 February 2023

Workforce

View Article

Martyn Evans appointed new SPA Chair

Published: 02 February 2023

Workforce

View Article

Green icons showing 7 inter-connected circles.

HMICS review of Strategic Workforce Planning

Published: 29 June 2023

Workforce

View Article

Green icon of an arrow pointing upwards.

New ACCs sworn in at Police Scotland

Published: 18 April 2023

Workforce

View Article

Three new ACCs to join Police Scotland

Published: 18 April 2023

Workforce

View Article

Independent Custody Visiting Scotland Covid 19 update

Published: 18 April 2023

Workforce Evidence

View Article

Green icon with representation of a light bulb,

ICVS National Conference 2022

Published: 18 April 2023

Workforce

View Article

Tell us whether you accept cookies

News

SPA announces permanent Chief Executive appointment

Summary: Authority Meeting 24 February 2021

Police Scotland Workforce plan considered at Authority meeting

Martyn Evans appointed new SPA Chair

HMICS review of Strategic Workforce Planning

New ACCs sworn in at Police Scotland

Three new ACCs to join Police Scotland

Independent Custody Visiting Scotland Covid 19 update

ICVS National Conference 2022