Scottish Police Authority

Associate Member

The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 created the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and set out its five core functions:

• to maintain the Police Service
• to promote the policing principles set out in the 2012 Act
• to promote and support continuous improvement in the policing of Scotland
• to keep under review the policing of Scotland
• to hold the Chief Constable to account for the policing of Scotland

These five functions demonstrate the dual, integrated responsibilities of the SPA: its oversight role in scrutinising policing in Scotland and holding the Chief Constable to account; and its supportive role in maintaining and improving the police service. The SPA is also responsible for the management and delivery of Forensic Services in Scotland.

The Authority aims to increase public trust and confidence in the policing of Scotland in the way it carries out its functions and through the quality of its governance arrangements.