Report Summary
The roles and responsibilities of the Scottish Police Authority (the Authority) and Police Scotland in relation to strategic planning are set out in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 at Sections 34 and 35.
Under the Act, the Authority is responsible for producing a Strategic Police Plan and involves the Chief Constable of Police Scotland in developing it.
The alignment of strategic direction, priorities for policing, planning and performance assessment is articulated in this Plan.
This Strategic Police Plan for Scotland requires ministerial approval prior to publication and laying before Parliament.
To access the full document please open the PDF document above.
To view as accessible content please use the sections below. (Note that tables and some appendixes are not available as accessible content).
Foreword
Our Strategic Policing Plan (SPP) for Scotland 2026 builds on the strong strategic foundation set and delivered through the Joint Strategy for Policing 2020 and 2023. It sets a clear direction for the policing system through high level strategic outcomes.
Since the last SPP was published in 2023, there have been a number of leadership changes at the Authority and Police Scotland, including the appointment of Chief Constable, Jo Farrell.
Over the last two years, the Authority, Police Scotland and Forensic Services have all delivered significant improvement and transformation programmes. Police Scotland has developed a clear long-term Vision 2030 which drives an ongoing programme of work underway to further build on the reform policing and keep people and communities across Scotland safe and secure. Forensic Services has designed and delivered on a new operating model and set out its own vision in the Forensic Services Strategy 2025, to further improve on delivering world leading forensic services to the wider criminal justice community.
We continue to see increased demand pressures and complexity challenging the policing system; however we also see a system responding to these challenges through increased productivity, transformation and innovation whilst delivering a balanced budget. Demands for policing and forensic services continue to grow and evolve. Prioritising services to ensure the greatest threats, harms risks and vulnerabilities are met has become routine. Collegiality and partnership through working with partners and stakeholders across and outside the justice sector are key to identifying and taking forward collaborative solutions to challenges.
This Plan reflects the progress made in the policing system to date. It describes the outcomes we aim to deliver for the people, places and communities of Scotland, while working with key stakeholders and partners to take forward public service reform and continuing to deliver best value.
With a focus on continuous improvement, the SPP focuses on delivery of safer communities and improved wellbeing by a thriving workforce that embraces innovation and optimises efficient service delivery.
Our relationship with the public and communities of Scotland is fundamental to driving public trust and confidence in and understanding of the policing system. We are committed to listening and responding to all communities across Scotland, including those who do not often engage with policing.
Fiona McQueen CBE, Chair of the Scottish Police Authority
