The positive steps taken by Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority to meet the challenges both organisations have faced are highlighted in the annual report of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary which is published today (Friday, December 21).

The report notes that despite significant change at the top of these bodies police officers and staff continued to deliver an effective service and surveys indicate a majority of adults remain confident in policing.

HMCICS Mrs Gill Imery QPM said: “It is hard to overstate the extent of difficulties for both Police Scotland and the SPA which were played out in the context of intense public, political and media scrutiny. Looking back helps us appreciate the extent of the progress since then. It also provides learning for the future.

“We continue to be impressed by the dedication and commitment of police officers and staff to delivering an effective policing service and meeting the needs of the varying communities of Scotland. The current stability of leadership of Police Scotland is welcome and the chief officer team has an impressive breadth and depth of experience.”

Within the SPA, there have been significant positive developments in terms of governance and all the recommendations HMICS made about the organisation’s openness and transparency have been addressed.

The annual report outlines the inspection and scrutiny work undertaken by HMICS from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018.

Looking forward, Mrs Imery believes there is much reason to be optimistic. However HMICS will closely monitor the budget, workforce planning, funding of necessary ICT investment, development of an outcome-based performance framework and the design of a policing structure which meets the demands of the communities it serves.