MSPS cautioned against changes to police legislation

The head 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 chair 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 effective policing for 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 – the body set up to both support and scrutinise it.

Ms Deacon was appearing with newly-appointed Chief Constable Iain Livingstone at Holyrood’s justice committee which is undertaking postlegislative scrutiny of the act.

Asked if she believed the legislation is “fit for purpose”, she said: “Yes is the short answer. Fundamentally I think the structure is right, and I think it’s critically important, not least given some of the challenges that both Police Scotland the SPA faced in the early years, that the organisations now get the chance to really stabilise and develop and deliver policing.

“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.”