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

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 48 of 102 results

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Local Police Plans: A Framework for Scrutiny

Published: 18 April 2023

Policy

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Mental Health, Vulnerability and Policing Conference

Published: 18 April 2023

Policy

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Statement: Councillor Graham Houston

Published: 18 April 2023

Workforce

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Vacancy: Assistant Chief Constables

Published: 18 April 2023

Workforce

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Post Mortem Toxicology transfers to SPA

Published: 18 April 2023

Workforce

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New Deputy Chief Constable appointed

Published: 18 April 2023

Workforce

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SPA win Public Finance 2022 Award

Published: 18 April 2023

Budget

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Custody Visiting Volunteers Required

Published: 18 April 2023

Workforce

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2021-22 Annual Report and Accounts for policing published

Published: 18 April 2023

Budget

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Vacancy: Deputy Chief Constable

Published: 18 April 2023

Workforce

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Updated Covid Fixed Penalty Notice Factsheet

Published: 18 April 2023

Research

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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Approved

Published: 18 April 2023

Policy

View Article

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News

Local Police Plans: A Framework for Scrutiny

Mental Health, Vulnerability and Policing Conference

Statement: Councillor Graham Houston

Vacancy: Assistant Chief Constables

Post Mortem Toxicology transfers to SPA

New Deputy Chief Constable appointed

SPA win Public Finance 2022 Award

Custody Visiting Volunteers Required

2021-22 Annual Report and Accounts for policing published

Vacancy: Deputy Chief Constable

Updated Covid Fixed Penalty Notice Factsheet

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Approved