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 25 to 36 of 127 results

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Roll-out of digital evidence sharing

Published: 01 August 2024

Technology

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Biometrics in Criminal Justice Conference

Published: 21 June 2024

Policy Technology

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Authority Praised for Progress

Published: 11 June 2024

Performance

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Board Appointments

Published: 11 June 2024

Workforce

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ACC Announcement

Published: 31 May 2024

Workforce

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Hate Crime Data Publication - 5 May 2024

Published: 07 May 2024

Performance

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Departure of Deputy Chief Officer

Published: 01 May 2024

Workforce

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Hate Crime Data Publication - 28 April 2024

Published: 01 May 2024

Performance

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Hate Crime Data Publication - 23 April 2024

Published: 24 April 2024

Performance

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Hate Crime Data Publication – 16 April 2024

Published: 23 April 2024

Performance

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ACC Vacancies

Published: 23 April 2024

Workforce

View Article

Two New Deputy Chief Constables of Police Scotland Appointed

Published: 01 March 2024

Workforce

View Article

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News

Roll-out of digital evidence sharing

Biometrics in Criminal Justice Conference

Authority Praised for Progress

Board Appointments

ACC Announcement

Hate Crime Data Publication - 5 May 2024

Departure of Deputy Chief Officer

Hate Crime Data Publication - 28 April 2024

Hate Crime Data Publication - 23 April 2024

Hate Crime Data Publication – 16 April 2024

ACC Vacancies

Two New Deputy Chief Constables of Police Scotland Appointed