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 1 to 12 of 21 results

PEEL Practice Compendium – February 2025 Update

Published: 19 February 2025

Policy Performance Evidence

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Experienced leader sought

Published: 19 December 2024

Policy Workforce

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RPW Webinar

Published: 12 December 2024

Policy

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Recorded Police Warnings Webinar

Published: 04 December 2024

Policy

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Biometrics in Criminal Justice Conference

Published: 21 June 2024

Policy Technology

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Scottish Police Authority and Who Cares? Scotland recognised as runner up at the Scottish Public Sector Awards

Published: 08 December 2023

Policy

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Plana Gàidhlig an SPA air Fhoillseachadh

Published: 20 April 2023

Policy

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Strategic Partnership Agreement for Policing

Published: 23 August 2023

Policy

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Engagement launched on Joint Strategy for Policing 2023-26

Published: 27 April 2023

Policy

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SPA Corporate Strategy 2023-26

Published: 18 April 2023

Policy

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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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News

PEEL Practice Compendium – February 2025 Update

Experienced leader sought

RPW Webinar

Recorded Police Warnings Webinar

Biometrics in Criminal Justice Conference

Scottish Police Authority and Who Cares? Scotland recognised as runner up at the Scottish Public Sector Awards

Plana Gàidhlig an SPA air Fhoillseachadh

Strategic Partnership Agreement for Policing

Engagement launched on Joint Strategy for Policing 2023-26

SPA Corporate Strategy 2023-26

Local Police Plans: A Framework for Scrutiny

Mental Health, Vulnerability and Policing Conference