Legal news
Royal Assent for Police and Fire Reform
The Act to merge Scotland’s police and fire and rescue services has been granted Royal Assent.
The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 creates a single Police Service of Scotland and a single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to serve local communities.
The hope is that it will reduce duplication and create a new streamlined structure across the current eight police forces, the Scottish Police Services Authority, the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency and the eight fire and rescue services.
It is intended that by doing things differently and working more effectively and efficiently, the Act will free up resources for frontline services and is expected to save £1.7 billion over 15 years.
High priority provisions of the Act allowing for the appointments of the Chief Constable, Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Chairs of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and SFRS, will come into effect on 9th August.
The recruitment process is well underway for these positions, as well as membership of the SPA and SFRS and the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.
"Reform will safeguard frontline police and fire and rescue in our communities,” said Community Safety and Legal Affairs Minister Roseanna Cunningham. “Local commanders and local senior officers for every council area in Scotland will work closely with local authorities and Community Planning Partnerships, to shape local services and prioritise local needs.”