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

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Governance Meetings

This page tells you about governance.

The Scottish Police Authority takes decisions on policing issues in formal meetings; these take place regularly. The Authority is committed to the open, transparent and accountable governance of policing.

The Authority's Governance Framework describes how we work to deliver good governance of policing and how we aim to carry out our responsibilities in a way which is proportionate, accountable and transparent. You can find out more about our governance arrangements from the link below. You can find out more about our Board and committees from the pages below.

SPA Corporate Governance Framework Nov 2025

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Board Meeting

Next meeting : 19 February 2026

Location : Clayton Hotel Glasgow, 298 Clyde St, Glasgow, G1 4NP

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Audit Risk and Assurance Committee

Next meeting : 12 February 2026

Location : online

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Complaints and Conduct Committee

Next meeting : 26 February 2026

Location : Online

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Executive Leadership and Remuneration Committee

Next meeting : To Be Confirmed

Location : To Be Confirmed

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Exceptional Circumstances Committee

Next meeting : To Be Confirmed

Location : To Be Confirmed

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Forensics Services Committee

Next meeting : 05 February 2026

Location : Online

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Legal Committee

Next meeting : 12 March 2026

Location : Online

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Policing Performance Committee

Next meeting : 17 March 2026

Location : online

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People Committee

Next meeting : 25 February 2026

Location : Online

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Resources Committee

Next meeting : 17 February 2026

Location : online

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Scottish Railways Policing Committee

The Scottish Railways Policing Committee was established under existing legislation. Two members of the Scottish Police Authority sit on this committee, Tom Halpin and Mary Pitcaithly. It is a sub-committee of the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). You can find details of meetings displayed on the BTPA website.

BTPA website

Meeting Schedule

Next meeting :

Forensics Services Committee

Date : 05 February 2026

Location : Online

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Board meeting

Complaints & Conduct Committee

Forensic Services Committee

Policing Performance Committee

People Committee

Resources Committee

Audit Risk & Assurance Committee

Legal Committee

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Governance Meetings

Board Meeting

Audit Risk and Assurance Committee

Complaints and Conduct Committee

Executive Leadership and Remuneration Committee

Exceptional Circumstances Committee

Forensics Services Committee

Legal Committee

Policing Performance Committee

People Committee

Resources Committee

Scottish Railways Policing Committee

Meeting Schedule

Next meeting :

Forensics Services Committee