New SPA leader vows to make the watchdog ‘more open and effective’

The new chairwoman of Scotland’s police watchdog has said she will work to make the body more “more open and effective”.

Susan Deacon took over the top position at the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) this month, replacing Andrew Flanagan.

At her first meeting as chairwoman yesterday, she said her “guiding principles” were aiming towards “constant improvement”.

Her appointment comes at a time of immense pressure among senior levels of the force, with many high-ranking officers under investigation.

Speaking at the meeting, in Dundee, Ms Deacon said: “Over the next few months I will be working to look at how we work to shape the meetings of the authorities and ensure that our decision-making processes are open and, critically, effective as possible.

“Fundamentally I want us to achieve the work together, with emphasis going forward on the future of Police Scotland. An area that is incredibly important for any public body is to look at how we embed a true public service ethos about the way we work.

“We’ve also been thinking about how we can improve and develop decisionmaking.”

The meeting also heard how police in Scotland could use drones for covert surveillance in some circumstances.

Plans are under way to trial two £50,000 unmanned aerial vehicles to assist in operations such as missing person searches.

But Deputy Chief Constable Johnny Gwynne said it would be “ridiculous” if they were not used when secret surveillance could save a life.

The Air Support Unit has proposed to buy two commercial drones, basing them in Aberdeen and Inverness.