MSPs cautioned against changes to police legislation

The chair 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 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 – the body set up to both support and scrutinise it.

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.

“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.”

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.

“We are still on a journey, I’m not for a moment saying that everything is exactly where it should be, but I do honestly think that a lot of those early issues that were played out very publicly… very public spats frankly between the SPA and the chief constable… I think we have moved on dramatically from there,” she added.

She went on to warn against a further independent 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.

Mr Livingstone also advised against legislative change, stressing the overall impact of the formation of the single force.

“I don’t think Scotland would be as safe now and in the future as it is had we not gone through that process of reform,” he said.

He told MSPs that over 320 murders have been committed since the single force was set up, all of which have been “detected”, with the exception of two ongoing inquiries.

The new structure has also improved capacity to respond to unexplained deaths, he said.

“I think it’s night and day to where we were previously.”

Mr Livingstone continued: “I would rather continue to run with the Act as it is and make sure that the structures we have are properly implemented and properly understood.”