Police inspectors: MSPS reveal probe on the fifth anniversary of Scotland’s single force
Politicians will scrutinise the controversial 999 merger
Amajor review of Scotland’s single force has been revealed on Police Scotland’s fifth anniversary.
MSPS will launch an inquiry into the controversial merger of Scotland’s eight forces into one.
Holyrood’s justice committee will conduct an in-depth review of one of the most significant pieces of legislation ever passed by MSPS.
Among the issues being scrutinised will be the role and performance of the watchdog Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and concerns that local policing has been weakened.
Daniel Johnson MSP, Labour’s justice spokesman, said: “Creating Police Scotland was the SNP’S biggest public sector reform.
“However, with the force looking for its third chief constable – and the SPA on to its third chief and third chair – there is considerable turmoil in the organisation. Public confidence in the force is at rock bottom, while police officers and staff clearly aren’t getting the support they need from the SNP Government.”
The creation of a national fire service at the same time as Police Scotland will also be reviewed by MSPS.
Justice Committee convener, Margaret Mitchell MSP, added: “The last five years have been a period of unprecedented change. While undoubtedly there are examples of resilience and partnership working, there have also been some problem areas identified since the mergers.
“In particular, the committee is keen to establish whether the issues faced by the services are to be expected as ‘teething problems’ or whether legislative changes are needed after five years.”
It is understood that potential law changes could centre on issues of transparency and where power is concentrated, particularly in light of political interference exposed by The Sunday Post. However, sources close to the review stressed that they would be led by the evidence they receive.
The review runs until the end of May and covers the police and fire services, as well as watchdogs including the Scottish Police Authority, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland.
Deputy Chief Constable Iain Livingstone, the interim chief constable, said that despite “significant challenges” in recent years the move had improved policing.
He said: “I can say with certainty that everyone in Scotland now has access to an improved level of service and protection.”
The Scottish Government said: “The single services have provided national specialist capabilities that would not have been possible in the past. Ministers recognise that a change of such scale and significance was always likely to present challenges but the independent evaluation of reform is clear about the benefits we have seen delivered.”