'Seirbheis phoilis na h-Alba' police Scotland: The rationalization of chief constables

This chapter sets out how Scottish policing has been affected by recent organizational change imposed as a consequence of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012. The Act, passed by the Scottish Parliament, created a single police service for Scotland replacing the previous structure of eight local territorial forces and central support agencies. The creation of a national police force presented an opportunity for a single Chief Constable, Sir Stephen House (formerly Metropolitan Police and Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police) to oversee policing across Scotland. However, the merger and reform of Scottish policing under the leadership of one Chief Constable identified a number of concerns. These include the relationship between the political establishment (Scottish Government and local authorities) and the police, the balance between local and national policing priorities, the effectiveness of the new accountability mechanisms, and the apparent and arguably ‘post-Met’ approach to policing and leadership of the first incumbent in the role. The chapter analyzes these issues in the context of the appointment of the first Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland commenting on his eventual and controversial resignation and the implications this has on the future policing of Scotland and more broadly that of British policing.