Scottish Police Authority Membership Announced
23rd October 2012
The first members of the new Scottish Police Authority (SPA) were announced today by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.
The SPA, which will go live on April 1, 2013, will support the Chief Constable and the new Police Service of Scotland as well as holding them to account.
The members will be: Moiram Ali, Brian Barbour, Jeane Freeman, Graham Houston, David Hume, Morag McLaughlin, Paul Rooney, Ian Ross, Lisa Tennant, Iain Whyte, Robert Wilson and Douglas Yates.
All members have been appointed for four years and will take up post in October 2012. Under the legislation, the SPA may appoint up to two additional members in due course, taking the total to 14.
Vic Emery OBE was appointed Chair of the SPA on August 31, 2012.
Mr MacAskill said:"Scottish policing is performing excellently - supported by the 1,000 extra officers this government is committed to maintaining, crime is at a 37 year low and public confidence is high. Reform and the establishment of a single service will help ensure communities right across Scotland continue to enjoy excellent policing.
"The Scottish Police Authority will play a pivotal role in the new landscape. These first members - under the leadership of Vic Emery - arrive at a historic time in the evolution of Scottish policing and will help shape the future of the service."
Mr Emery said:"I am delighted to welcome the first members of the Scottish Police Authority. They are a strong, capable and diverse team which will bring independence and expertise to the governance of Scottish policing. Working together, we will be the new national voice on policing, making our national choices on policing.
"Our initial focus as an Authority will be built on four 'pillars' - priorities, people, performance, and pounds. The Authority will consult on a strategic plan for how Scotland will be policed, and agree how the public money we spend on policing is allocated. We will agree meaningful measures of performance to judge the Scottish police by, promote their success, and publicly challenge performance where it falls short.
"Crucially, it will be the SPA's job to demonstrate a quality police service can be maintained in local communities across Scotland but delivered for less overall cost. We look forward to working with the Chief Constable and his team in delivering on that objective."
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