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

Publication Library

The Authority is committed to conducting its activity in an open and transparent manner, and in a way that builds trust and confidence in policing.

In this section we aim to make as much of our information as possible available, accessible and searchable. Our publication scheme summarises all of the information we publish. This aims to improve public access to the information we hold and encouraging public awareness of, and participation in, the decisions we make.

Where possible we provide a suitable HTML alternative and / or make documents accessible. Please contact us if you would like to request a corporate publication in an alternative format.

Scottish Police Authority - Publication Scheme

Committee

Topic

Board Objectives 2025-26

Published: 30 April 2025

Publication

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Board Objectives 2024-25

Published: 10 May 2024

Publication Board Meetings

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Green icons showing 7 inter-connected circles.

SPA Board Objectives 2023-2024

Published: 24 October 2025

Publication

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Board Members Allowances and Expenses Policy

Published: 18 June 2025

Publication

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Authority's submission on Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) Bill

Published: 10 May 2024

Publication

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Authority's Consultation Response to Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) Bill

Published: 10 May 2024

Publication

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Asset Transfer Request Reporting Template 2023/24 for Relevant Authorities - 30 September 2024

Published: 30 September 2024

Publication

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Advocacy for and Overseeing the Adoption of Technology for a Policing Purpose

Published: 11 April 2023

Publication

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2024-25 Policing Performance Summary

Published: 17 December 2025

Publication

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2024-25 Annual Report and Accounts - Summary

Published: 04 December 2025

Publication

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2024-25 Annual Report and Accounts

Published: 04 December 2025

Publication

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Publication Library

Board Objectives 2025-26

Board Objectives 2024-25

SPA Board Objectives 2023-2024

Board Members Allowances and Expenses Policy

Authority's submission on Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) Bill

Authority's Consultation Response to Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) Bill

Asset Transfer Request Reporting Template 2023/24 for Relevant Authorities - 30 September 2024

Advocacy for and Overseeing the Adoption of Technology for a Policing Purpose

2024-25 Policing Performance Summary

2024-25 Annual Report and Accounts - Summary

2024-25 Annual Report and Accounts