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

Violence Against Women and Girls

Police Scotland is committed to creating a society where women and girls live free from violence, abuse, exploitation and harassment.

On this page you can find out more about the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and the Scottish Police Authority's oversight of progress.

Violence Against Women & Girls Strategy

Police Scotland's strategy, supported by the Authority, outlines the actions they will take as a service, together with partner organisations, to improve the response, and to drive the change needed to end violence against women and girls.

View Page

Image of Board Member Alasdair Hay standing outside of an office building.

Supporting Police Scotland's approach

Alasdair Hay, Chair of the Authority's Policing Performance Committee, has outlined the Authority's support for Police Scotland's strategy. The approach aims to meet the needs of victims and survivors, and reflect the unique role policing has in tackling this issue.

View Page

Oversight and Progress

The Authority closely monitor's Police Scotland's progress against its Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. Progress is monitored quarterly by the Policing Performance Committee.

View Page