SCOTLAND’S police watchdog must be “stronger and more effective”, according to the former Scottish Government minister at its helm.
Ex-Labour health minister Susan Deacon took charge of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) this week, succeeding Andrew Flanagan, who quit due to intense criticism over his leadership.
Speaking on a radio programme broadcast yesterday, Deacon was asked if she would provide greater scrutiny of Police Scotland.
READ MORE: Auditor General slams 'unacceptable' failings at Scottish Police Authority
She said: “The SPA has to be stronger and more effective in what it does and that, I think, would create much of the improved scrutiny and debate that we now need, and that’s what I’m determined to make improvement on.
“I think trust and confidence in our police service is very high, I think we need to build more trust and confidence in the leadership of the police service and we need to get wider public understanding, and I think a more mature debate, both in the political world and in the press, around the big challenges and changes that face our police service.”
Adding that the public can have “complete confidence” in the force, Deacon said increased scrutiny and debate was “positive”.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here