Government summit to discuss Police Scotland accountability

The accountability of Police Scotland will be subject to discussion at a summit hosted by the Scottish government later this month, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday.

Paying tribute to Police Scotland’s outgoing chief constable, Sir Stephen House, Ms Sturgeon announced a series of changes would be made to the governance of the national police force.

The new chief constable will be asked to attend “public scrutiny sessions” across the country in order to improve the force’s local accountability.

Further measures will be considered by the summit.

Ms Sturgeon also announced that the new chairperson of the Scottish Police Authority, succeeding Vic Emery, will be named this week.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Ms Sturgeon said: “I take the opportunity to thank Sir Stephen House for his long years of dedicated service to policing.

“He provided leadership at a crucial time, he helped to reduce crime to a record low and he gave real priority to tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence, and I take the opportunity to thank him for all that.

“I also confirm that, following an open public appointments process, a new chair of the Scottish Police Authority will be named later this week.”

Ms Sturgeon added: “A local scrutiny summit, to be held later this month, will identify further ways to enhance local accountability.

“Local scrutiny committees, together with members of the public and the Parliament, will also have an important role to play in updating our national policing priorities.”

Regarding call handling and stop and search, the First Minister said: “We will also ensure implementation of any recommendations from Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary in Scotland’s review of call handling.

“I can also confirm that we will introduce a statutory code of practice on stop and search.”