Scottish Police Authority chairman to stand down in September

The chairman of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) will not seek re-appointment at the end of his current term.

Vic Emery’s decision not to re-apply follows that of chief constable Sir Stephen House who has said he will not look for re-appoitnment next year.

Mr Emery will leave his post in September.

He said he thought a new chairperson should help in appointing the next chief constable.

He added: “In my time as chair of the SPA, I have enjoyed a very effective working relationship with the chief constable.

“His relationship has been a crucial one and I wish to put on record my respect for the vast personal commitment he has made in establishing Police Scotland.

“Sir Stephen has been the right person to drive through a period of massive change in the organisation of operational policing in Scotland and I believe he has done an excellent job despite challenging circumstances.

“The relationship between the chief constable and the chair of the SPA is a key one.”

The SPA chairman added: “I believe that the best way for that crucial dynamic to be forged would be for the chair appointing the new chief to have the opportunity to progress the appointment process and have the appropriate tenure to develop that key governance relationship going forward.”

Mr Emery also said that a great deal has changed in policing in recent times. His tenure at the SPA came after a spell at the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA), a back-office organisation.

He said: “Since becoming convener of the SPSA in 2008 and now as chair of the SPA, I have witnessed remarkable improvement and progress in the effectiveness and efficiency of policing.

“In forensic services we now have the UK’s only crime scene-to-court forensic service with the most sophisticated DNA-testing capability in Europe, addressing major issues around confidence in fingerprints.

“In police technology we are making major strategic investment to bring our IT and digital capabilities into the 21st Century, addressing previous failings in project management and oversight.

“In police infrastructure we are advancing long-overdue upgrades to police buildings in a long-term estates strategy focused on responding to the needs of a modern police force and the communities it serves.

“Crucially we are also reducing the costs of organising policing, protecting service delivery and making it more sustainable for the future.”

Sir Stephen commended Mr Emery, saying he had provided strong leadership for the SPA and that he was sorry to see him leave.

He added: “I would like to pay tribute to his many achievements, and hope his strong contribution is not lost in the future.”