The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
MSPs urged not to change legislation
The chairwoman of Scotland’s police watchdog has cautioned MSPs against making changes to legislation which established the single force five years ago.
Susan Deacon, who took over as head of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) last year, also warned against a review of her own organisation – describing such a move as “one of the worst things that could be done at this point”.
Police Scotland was set up through the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 with the aim of making savings and ensuring policing was fit for purpose in the future.
However, critics say the organisation is not working, pointing to a series of scandals and setbacks within the force and a string of governance failings at the SPA.
Ms Deacon was appearing alongside the newly-appointed chief constable Iain Livingstone at Holyrood’s Justice Committee.
The committee is currently undertaking post-legislative scrutiny of Act. Asked if she believed the legislation is “fit for purpose”, she said: “Yes, is the short answer.
“I think the structure is right, and I think it’s critically important, not least given some of the challenges that both Police Scotland and the SPA faced in the early years, that the organisations now get the chance to really stabilise.
“That’s why the SPA has been really clear... that while we absolutely welcome the post-legislative scrutiny process... we would urge caution about making any further changes to the Act.”
Ms Deacon, who has sought to improve governance and transparency since taking on her role, also told MSPs there had been “fundamental changes” in the relationship between the SPA and the chief constable.
“I do honestly think that a lot of those issues that were played out publicly... public spats, frankly, between the SPA and the chief constable... I think we have moved on from there,” she added.
She went on to warn against a further review of the SPA, telling MSPs the body’s current improvement plans take account of 14 separate reviews with around 200 recommendations.
“I think one of the worst things that could be done at this point in time is yet another review of the SPA,” she said.