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 109 to 120 of 131 results

SPA announces permanent Chief Executive appointment

Published: 03 February 2023

Workforce

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Summary: Authority Meeting 24 February 2021

Published: 02 February 2023

Workforce Performance

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Public Audit & Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee - 11 February 2021

Published: 02 February 2023

Budget

View Article

Body Worn Video Consultation

Published: 02 February 2023

Technology

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SPA responds to Scottish Government 2021-22 Budget announcement

Published: 02 February 2023

Budget

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Police Scotland Workforce plan considered at Authority meeting

Published: 02 February 2023

Workforce

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Martyn Evans appointed new SPA Chair

Published: 02 February 2023

Workforce

View Article

SPA evidence to Justice Sub Committee on drones and body worn video

Published: 02 February 2023

Technology Evidence

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ICVS Annual Report 2021-22

Published: 18 April 2023

Performance

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HMICS review of Strategic Workforce Planning

Published: 29 June 2023

Workforce

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Latest factsheet on public confidence polling

Published: 18 April 2023

Evidence

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Drug driving demand exceeds forensic analysis capacity

Published: 18 April 2023

Forensic Services

View Article

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News

SPA announces permanent Chief Executive appointment

Summary: Authority Meeting 24 February 2021

Public Audit & Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee - 11 February 2021

Body Worn Video Consultation

SPA responds to Scottish Government 2021-22 Budget announcement

Police Scotland Workforce plan considered at Authority meeting

Martyn Evans appointed new SPA Chair

SPA evidence to Justice Sub Committee on drones and body worn video

ICVS Annual Report 2021-22

HMICS review of Strategic Workforce Planning

Latest factsheet on public confidence polling

Drug driving demand exceeds forensic analysis capacity