Police Scotland

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Police Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Poileas Alba) is the national police service of Scotland. It was established on 1 April 2013 following the merger of eight regional police forces in Scotland, as well as the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency. The formation of Police Scotland aimed to create a more efficient and effective policing service for the country.

History

The creation of Police Scotland was part of a wider reform of public services in Scotland. The eight regional police forces that were merged to form Police Scotland included:

• Central Scotland Police
• Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary
• Fife Constabulary
• Grampian Police
• Lothian and Borders Police
• Northern Constabulary
• Strathclyde Police
• Tayside Police

Structure

Police Scotland is headed by the Chief Constable, who is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the service. The Chief Constable is supported by a team of Deputy Chief Constables and Assistant Chief Constables. The service is divided into 13 local policing divisions, each headed by a Local Police Commander.

Functions and Responsibilities

Police Scotland is responsible for a wide range of policing duties, including:

• Crime prevention
• Criminal investigation
• Public order
• Traffic policing
• Counter-terrorism
• Community policing

Specialist Units

Police Scotland has several specialist units to deal with specific types of crime and incidents, including:

• Major Investigation Team
• Public Protection Unit
• Counter Terrorism Unit
• Road Policing Unit
• Air Support Unit
• Marine Unit
• Dog Unit

Training and Recruitment

Police Scotland operates the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan Castle, which provides training for new recruits as well as ongoing professional development for serving officers. The recruitment process for Police Scotland includes a series of assessments, interviews, and background checks.

Governance

Police Scotland is accountable to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), which is responsible for ensuring that the service delivers effective policing across Scotland. The SPA provides oversight and scrutiny of Police Scotland's performance and finances.

Related Pages

• Law enforcement in the United Kingdom
• Scottish Police Authority
• Chief Constable of Police Scotland
• Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency
• Scottish Police College