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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

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 25 to 34 of 34 results

Mark Diffley: Trust and confidence - what Scots think of the police

Published: 03 October 2023

Evidence Research

View Insight

Horizon Scan Item: Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

Published: 09 July 2026

Technology Research

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Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the police estate

Published: 15 April 2025

Estate

View Insight

Eric Leggat: Forfeiture of Police Pensions

Published: 18 August 2023

Workforce

View Insight

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

Scott Ross: Technology for a Policing Purpose

Published: 05 February 2025

Technology

View Insight

Dr Brian Plastow, Scottish Biometrics Commissioner: Biometrics Reviews

Published: 27 July 2023

Research Evidence

View Insight

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

Alasdair Hay, SPA: Violence against Women and Girls Strategy

Published: 25 July 2023

Policy

View Insight

An update on the role and work of the Policing Performance Committee

Published: 14 April 2025

Performance Policy

View Insight

Laura and John, Independent Custody Visitors: In their own words

Published: 25 July 2023

Workforce

View Insight

Jane Ryder, SPA Vice Chair: Celebrates our ICVS volunteers

Published: 14 April 2025

Workforce

View Insight

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Cookies on SPA.POLICE.UK

Insights

Mark Diffley: Trust and confidence - what Scots think of the police

Horizon Scan Item: Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the police estate

Eric Leggat: Forfeiture of Police Pensions

Scott Ross: Technology for a Policing Purpose

Dr Brian Plastow, Scottish Biometrics Commissioner: Biometrics Reviews

Alasdair Hay, SPA: Violence against Women and Girls Strategy

An update on the role and work of the Policing Performance Committee

Laura and John, Independent Custody Visitors: In their own words

Jane Ryder, SPA Vice Chair: Celebrates our ICVS volunteers