Roles and Responsibilities for Policing in Scotland
Responsibility for Policing in Scotland
Responsibility for the police service in Scotland is shared between the Scottish Ministers, Chief Constables and the police authorities. Scottish Ministers retain overall responsibility for national policing policy and set the legal and financial framework for the police service across Scotland. Chief Constables are responsible for the operational aspects of policing within their force areas. Police Authorities (e.g. Lothian and Borders Police Board) are responsible for helping to shape the Force's priorities, budgets and policies and holding the Chief Constable to account with regard to service delivery and financial performance.
Download a copy of the guidance issued by the Scottish Government for members of Police Authorities and Joint Police Boards on the stautory framework for Policing.
Role and Responsibility of the Police Board
The Board's main responsibilities include:
- working with the Chief Constable and holding him to account for the policing of the area
- setting the budget for the force and providing the Chief Constable with resources
- appointing the Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constables
- managing the requirements of the Police Pensions Regulations
- managing its Independent Custody Visiting Scheme and Lay Diversity Advisers Scheme
- reporting publicly on the performance of the force and ensuring that the best possible service is provided.