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

Insights

In this section, we will share insights from various individuals and organisations on some of the topical issues facing policing in Scotland or beyond.

Showing 1 to 12 of 36 results

Evidence-Based Policing conference 2025

Published: 09 October 2025

Performance Workforce Evidence Technology Research

View Insight

Image of SPA Head of Change and Operational Scrutiny, Scott Ross, sitting at an office desk.

Direct Measures Event December 2024 - An overview

Published: 06 February 2025

Policy Research Performance

View Insight

Police Direct Measures for Adults

Published: 05 February 2025

Policy

View Insight

Evidence-based policing and learning from good practice

Published: 23 September 2024

Performance Evidence

View Insight

Association of Police and Crime Commissioners

Published: 05 February 2025

Policy Performance

View Insight

New Local's Stronger Things 2024

Published: 05 February 2025

Research

View Insight

Scotland’s benchmarking journey showcased at Police Strategy Forum

Published: 05 February 2025

Performance

View Insight

Chief Constable Jo Farrell

Published: 05 February 2025

Policy Technology

View Insight

Women’s Trust and Confidence in the Police in Scotland

Published: 20 June 2024

Research

View Insight

Martyn Evans, Chair of the SPA sitting at a desk inside an office building.

Martyn Evans, Biometrics Conference

Published: 02 February 2025

Policy Technology

View Insight

Dr Brian Plastow, Scottish Biometrics Commissioner

Published: 05 February 2025

Policy

View Insight

Chief Constable's Update to the May Board Meeting

Published: 05 February 2025

Performance

View Insight

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Insights

Evidence-Based Policing conference 2025

Direct Measures Event December 2024 - An overview

Police Direct Measures for Adults

Evidence-based policing and learning from good practice

Association of Police and Crime Commissioners

New Local's Stronger Things 2024

Scotland’s benchmarking journey showcased at Police Strategy Forum

Chief Constable Jo Farrell

Women’s Trust and Confidence in the Police in Scotland

Martyn Evans, Biometrics Conference

Dr Brian Plastow, Scottish Biometrics Commissioner

Chief Constable's Update to the May Board Meeting