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

Equality and Human Rights

This page tells you about the Scottish Police Authority’s duties regarding Human Rights.

The Authority works to eliminate discrimination, to further inclusion, to advance equality of opportunity, and to foster good relations to bring on the effects of equality, diversity and human rights within both the Authority and Police Scotland. There is a legal framework for this.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

View Page

Children's Rights and Corporate Parenting

View Page

Fairer Scotland Duty

View Page

Gaelic Language Plan

View Page

Gender Representation

View Page

EDI Mainstreaming and Equality Outcomes Progress Report 2023-2025

Published: 30 April 2025

View Page

Police Scotland EDI Employment Monitoring Report - 31 March 2024

Published: 30 April 2025

View Page

Police Scotland EDI Employment Monitoring Report - 31 March 2024

Published: 30 April 2025

View Page

Joint Equality Outcomes 2025–2029

View Page

Tell us whether you accept cookies

Equality and Human Rights

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Children's Rights and Corporate Parenting

Fairer Scotland Duty

Gaelic Language Plan

Gender Representation

Related Content

EDI Mainstreaming and Equality Outcomes Progress Report 2023-2025

Police Scotland EDI Employment Monitoring Report - 31 March 2024

Police Scotland EDI Employment Monitoring Report - 31 March 2024

Joint Equality Outcomes 2025–2029