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Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012

2012 asp 8 · Enacted 7 August 2012 · Extends to Scotland

Not fully up to date. 12 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 29 December 2025.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 17(4)(b)(iv)insertedRailway Policing (Scotland) Act 2017 s. 2(b)(ii)
s. 17(2)word repealedRailway Policing (Scotland) Act 2017 s. 2(a)(i)
s. 17(2)(h)insertedRailway Policing (Scotland) Act 2017 s. 2(a)(ii)
s. 17(4)(b)word repealedRailway Policing (Scotland) Act 2017 s. 2(b)(i)
s. 20AinsertedRailway Policing (Scotland) Act 2017 s. 3
Ch. 12AinsertedRailway Policing (Scotland) Act 2017 s. 1(1)
s. 125(2)words substitutedRailway Policing (Scotland) Act 2017 s. 1(2)(a)
s. 125(4)words substitutedRailway Policing (Scotland) Act 2017 s. 1(2)(b)
s. 52(3)substitutedPolice (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act 2025 s. 10(2)
s. 56(1A)insertedPolice (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act 2025 s. 10(3)(a)
s. 56(2A)insertedPolice (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act 2025 s. 10(3)(b)
s. 58(2)words substitutedPolice (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Act 2025 s. 10(4)

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to make provision about policing; to make provision about fire and rescue services; and for connected purposes.

The Bill for this Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed by the Parliament on 27th June 2012 and received Royal Assent on 7th August 2012

Contents

  1. Part 1: Police reform
  2. Chapter 1: The Scottish Police Authority
  3. 1The Scottish Police Authority
  4. 2Functions of the Authority
  5. 3Maintenance of the police
  6. 4General powers of the Authority
  7. 5Directions
  8. Chapter 2: The Police Service of Scotland
  9. The Police Service of Scotland
  10. 6The Police Service of Scotland
  11. Constables: appointment, ranks and terms of office
  12. 7Senior officers
  13. 8Regular constables
  14. 9Special constables
  15. 10Constable's declaration
  16. 11Ranks
  17. 12Constables: terms of office
  18. 13Rewards
  19. 14Senior officers: resignation or retirement for efficiency or effectiveness
  20. 15Temporary service outwith the Police Service of Scotland
  21. 16Temporary service as constable of the Police Service of Scotland
  22. Chief constable
  23. 17Chief constable's responsibility for the policing of Scotland
  24. 18Delegation of chief constable's functions
  25. Functions of constables
  26. 19Constables: functions and jurisdiction
  27. 20Constables: general duties
  28. 21Direction and control of the Police Service
  29. 22Failure to perform duty
  30. 23Failure to return equipment
  31. 24Liability for unlawful conduct
  32. Police cadets
  33. 25Police cadets
  34. Police staff
  35. 26Police staff
  36. 27Terms and conditions of police staff
  37. 28Police custody and security officers
  38. 29Certification of police custody and security officers
  39. 30False statements in relation to certification
  40. Chapter 3: Forensic services
  41. 31Forensic services
  42. Chapter 4: Principles, priorities, objectives and plans
  43. 32Policing principles
  44. 33Strategic police priorities
  45. 34Strategic police plan
  46. 35Annual police plans
  47. 36Planning functions: considerations
  48. Chapter 4A: Code of ethics
  49. 36ACode of ethics
  50. 36BPreparation and revision of the code of ethics
  51. Chapter 4B: Vetting code of practice
  52. 36CVetting code of practice
  53. 36DPreparation and revision of the code of vetting practice
  54. Chapter 5: Best value
  55. 37Best value
  56. 38Best value: further provision
  57. Chapter 6: Annual reports, accounts, audit and examination
  58. 39The Scottish Police Authority's annual report
  59. 40Accounts
  60. 41Audit
  61. 42Examination of Police Service by Auditor General
  62. 43Examinations of Scottish Police Authority by Auditor General
  63. Chapter 7: Local policing
  64. 44Local policing
  65. 45Local authority role in policing
  66. 46Duty to participate in community planning
  67. 47Local police plans
  68. Chapter 8: Governance and administration of police
  69. 48Governance and administration of police
  70. 49Appointments, promotions etc.
  71. 50Conditions of service
  72. 50AOngoing vetting
  73. 51Regulations: duties
  74. 52Disciplinary procedures: conduct and performance
  75. 53Personal records
  76. 54Consultation on regulations
  77. 55Regulations: supplementary
  78. Chapter 8A: POLICE NEGOTIATING BOARD FOR SCOTLAND
  79. 55AEstablishment of the PNBS
  80. 55BRepresentations about pay etc.
  81. 55CRepresentations on other matters
  82. 55DSteps following arbitration
  83. 55EReporting by the PNBS
  84. Chapter 9: APPEALS TO THE FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL
  85. 56Right to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal
  86. 57Representation Repealed
  87. 58Determinations by tribunal
  88. 59Powers to obtain information Repealed
  89. Chapter 9A: Advisory list and barred list
  90. 59AScottish police advisory list and Scottish police barred list
  91. Chapter 10: Complaints and investigations
  92. 60Complaints handling
  93. 61The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner
  94. 62General functions of the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner
  95. 63Investigations under supervision of Lord Advocate or procurator fiscal
  96. 64Serious incidents involving the police
  97. 65Investigations of other matters in the public interest
  98. 66Investigations: procedure etc.
  99. 67Reports on investigations
  100. 68Investigations: obstruction and contempt
  101. 69Complaints against the Commissioner
  102. 70Protection from actions for defamation
  103. Chapter 11: Her Majesty's inspectors of constabulary in Scotland
  104. 71Her Majesty's inspectors of constabulary in Scotland
  105. 72Assistant inspectors of constabulary
  106. 73Staff officers
  107. 74Functions of inspectors
  108. 75HMICS plan
  109. 76HMICS powers
  110. 77Duty to assist and co-operate with HMICS
  111. 78HMICS reports: inquiries directed by Scottish Ministers
  112. 79HMICS reports: other inquiries
  113. 80Inquiry reports: consideration and action
  114. 81Power to give directions after adverse HMICS report
  115. 82HMICS annual report
  116. Chapter 12: Co-operation, exchange of information etc.
  117. 83Co-operation between Scottish Police Authority and Police Service
  118. 84Police information
  119. 85Scrutiny and investigations: co-operation and information sharing
  120. Chapter 13: Provision of goods and services
  121. 86Provision of police services
  122. 87Provision of other goods and services
  123. Chapter 14: Grants
  124. 88Police grants
  125. 89Grants to other persons
  126. Chapter 15: Offences
  127. 90Assaulting or impeding police
  128. 91Escape from custody
  129. 92Impersonation etc.
  130. Chapter 16: Independent custody visiting
  131. 93Purpose of custody visiting
  132. 94Independent custody visiting
  133. 95SPT visits
  134. 96Interpretation of Chapter 16
  135. Chapter 17: Miscellaneous and general
  136. 97Dissolution of the Police Advisory Board for Scotland
  137. 98Transitional and transitory provision
  138. 99Interpretation of Part 1
  139. 100Crown application
  140. Part 2: Fire reform
  141. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
  142. 101The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
  143. Functions
  144. 102Promotion of fire safety
  145. 103Fire safety: enforcement
  146. 104Fire-fighting
  147. 105Road traffic accidents
  148. 106Conferral of functions in relation to other emergencies
  149. 107Power to respond to other eventualities
  150. 108Provision of other services
  151. 109Provision of centres for education and training
  152. 110Charging
  153. Further amendments of 2005 Act
  154. 111Assistance
  155. 112Delegation
  156. 113Best value
  157. 114Strategic plan
  158. 115Local fire and rescue plans
  159. 116Annual report
  160. 117Provision of information
  161. 118Directions by Scottish Ministers
  162. 119Inspectors of SFRS
  163. 120Prohibition on employment of police
  164. General
  165. 121Transfer of staff, property etc.
  166. 122SFRS: transitory provision
  167. 123Meaning of “the 2005 Act”
  168. Part 3: GENERAL
  169. 124Parliamentary scrutiny of operation of Act
  170. 125Subordinate legislation
  171. 126Ancillary provision
  172. 127Transitional provision etc.
  173. 128Minor and consequential amendments and repeals
  174. 129Commencement
  175. 130Short title
  176. Schedule 1: The Scottish Police Authority
  177. Part 1: Status, structure and governance
  178. Status
  179. 1Paragraph 1
  180. Membership
  181. 2Paragraph 2
  182. Disqualification
  183. 3Paragraph 3
  184. Tenure
  185. 4Paragraph 4
  186. Removal from office
  187. 5Paragraph 5
  188. Staff of the Authority
  189. 6Paragraph 6
  190. Constables: temporary service with the Scottish Police Authority
  191. 7Paragraph 7
  192. Terms and conditions of the Authority's staff
  193. 8Paragraph 8
  194. Committees and sub-committees
  195. 9Paragraph 9
  196. Procedure
  197. 10Paragraph 10
  198. Public access
  199. 11Paragraph 11
  200. Delegation of functions
  201. 12Paragraph 12
  202. Location of principal offices
  203. 13Paragraph 13
  204. Part 2: Consequential modifications
  205. Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 7)
  206. 14Paragraph 14
  207. Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 13)
  208. 15Paragraph 15
  209. Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 4)
  210. 16Paragraph 16
  211. Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 8)
  212. 17Paragraph 17
  213. Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 12)
  214. 18Paragraph 18
  215. Schedule 2: Police custody and security officers: powers and duties
  216. 1Paragraph 1
  217. 2Paragraph 2
  218. Schedule 2ZA: Persons to be consulted in respect of the Code of Ethics for Policing in Scotland
  219. 1Paragraph 1
  220. 2Paragraph 2
  221. 3Paragraph 3
  222. 4Paragraph 4
  223. 5Paragraph 5
  224. 6Paragraph 6
  225. 7Paragraph 7
  226. 8Paragraph 8
  227. 9Paragraph 9
  228. 10Paragraph 10
  229. 11Paragraph 11
  230. 12Paragraph 12
  231. Schedule 2A: POLICE NEGOTIATING BOARD FOR SCOTLAND
  232. Status of the PNBS
  233. 1Paragraph 1
  234. Chairing and membership
  235. 2Paragraph 2
  236. Temporary chairperson
  237. 3Paragraph 3
  238. Disqualification from chairing
  239. 4Paragraph 4
  240. Constitution and procedure etc.
  241. 5Paragraph 5
  242. Process of arbitration
  243. 6Paragraph 6
  244. 7Paragraph 7
  245. 8Paragraph 8
  246. Remuneration and expenses
  247. 9Paragraph 9
  248. Schedule 3: Police appeals tribunals Repealed
  249. Constitution and membership Repealed
  250. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  251. Member remuneration, allowances and expenses Repealed
  252. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  253. Expenses of proceedings Repealed
  254. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  255. Police appeals tribunal rules Repealed
  256. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  257. Schedule 4: Period before establishment of Police Service
  258. 1Paragraph 1
  259. 2Paragraph 2
  260. 3Paragraph 3
  261. 4Paragraph 4
  262. 5Paragraph 5
  263. 6Paragraph 6
  264. 7Paragraph 7
  265. 8Paragraph 8
  266. Schedule 5: Transfer of constables, staff and property etc.
  267. Interpretation
  268. 1Paragraph 1
  269. Appointed day
  270. 2Paragraph 2
  271. Constables to continue to hold office and rank
  272. 3Paragraph 3
  273. Senior officers appointed under section 7
  274. 4Paragraph 4
  275. Senior officers
  276. 5Paragraph 5
  277. Constables serving in police forces
  278. 6Paragraph 6
  279. Constables serving in SPSA or SCDEA
  280. 7Paragraph 7
  281. Constables – temporary service arrangements
  282. 8Paragraph 8
  283. Acts done before transfer
  284. 9Paragraph 9
  285. Limitation on mobility of transferred constables
  286. 10Paragraph 10
  287. Transfer of police staff
  288. 11Paragraph 11
  289. Staff transfer scheme
  290. 12Paragraph 12
  291. Police staff appointed under contract for services
  292. 13Paragraph 13
  293. Police cadets
  294. 14Paragraph 14
  295. Police custody and security officers
  296. 15Paragraph 15
  297. Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary in Scotland
  298. 16Paragraph 16
  299. Police property transfer scheme: transfers to Scottish Police Authority
  300. 17Paragraph 17
  301. Property transfer scheme: transfers to local authorities
  302. 18Paragraph 18
  303. Property transfer schemes: general
  304. 19Paragraph 19
  305. Transfer of liabilities of chief constables etc.
  306. 20Paragraph 20
  307. Schedule 6: Transfer of staff, property etc.
  308. Interpretation
  309. 1Paragraph 1
  310. Joint board staff
  311. 2Paragraph 2
  312. Local authority staff and civil servants
  313. 3Paragraph 3
  314. Transfers under paragraph 3: effect on contract of employment
  315. 4Paragraph 4
  316. Property transfer scheme: transfers to SFRS
  317. 5Paragraph 5
  318. Property transfer scheme: transfers to local authorities
  319. 6Paragraph 6
  320. Property transfer schemes: general
  321. 7Paragraph 7
  322. Transfer schemes: additional provision
  323. 8Paragraph 8
  324. Schedule 7: Minor and consequential amendments
  325. Part 1: Amendments relating to Part 1
  326. Police (Scotland) Act 1967 (c.77)
  327. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  328. Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c.37)
  329. 2Paragraph 2
  330. Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (c.53)
  331. 3Paragraph 3
  332. Slaughter of Animals (Scotland) Act 1980 (c.13)
  333. 4Paragraph 4
  334. Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1980 (c.55)
  335. 5Paragraph 5
  336. Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (c.45)
  337. 6Paragraph 6
  338. Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (c.54)
  339. 7Paragraph 7
  340. Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989 (c.45)
  341. 8Paragraph 8
  342. Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c.33)
  343. 9Paragraph 9
  344. Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 (c.39)
  345. 10Paragraph 10
  346. Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (c.36)
  347. 11Paragraph 11
  348. Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (c.46)
  349. 12Paragraph 12
  350. Police Act 1996 (c.16)
  351. 13Paragraph 13
  352. Police Act 1997 (c.50)
  353. 14Paragraph 14
  354. Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 11)
  355. 15Paragraph 15
  356. Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 2)
  357. 16Paragraph 16
  358. International Criminal Court (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 13)
  359. 17Paragraph 17
  360. Protection from Abuse (Scotland) Act 2001 (asp 14)
  361. 18Paragraph 18
  362. Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002 (asp 11)
  363. 19Paragraph 19
  364. Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 13)
  365. 20Paragraph 20
  366. Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 7)
  367. 21Paragraph 21
  368. Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 12)
  369. 22Paragraph 22
  370. Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 13)
  371. 23Paragraph 23
  372. Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 (asp 8)
  373. 24Paragraph 24
  374. Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 2)
  375. 25Paragraph 25
  376. Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 9)
  377. 26Paragraph 26 Repealed
  378. Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 10)
  379. 27Paragraph 27
  380. Management of Offenders etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 14)
  381. 28Paragraph 28
  382. Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 16)
  383. 29Paragraph 29
  384. Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 1)
  385. 30Paragraph 30
  386. Edinburgh Tram (Line Two) Act 2006 (asp 6)
  387. 31Paragraph 31
  388. Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Act 2006 (asp 7)
  389. 32Paragraph 32
  390. Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 10)
  391. 33Paragraph 33
  392. Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 11)
  393. 34Paragraph 34
  394. Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 10)
  395. 35Paragraph 35
  396. Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (asp 14)
  397. 36Paragraph 36
  398. Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Act 2007 (asp 16)
  399. 37Paragraph 37
  400. Glasgow Commonwealth Games Act 2008 (asp 4)
  401. 38Paragraph 38
  402. Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 5)
  403. 39Paragraph 39
  404. Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 8)
  405. 40Paragraph 40
  406. Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 9)
  407. 41Paragraph 41
  408. Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 13)
  409. 42Paragraph 42
  410. Alcohol etc. (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 18)
  411. 43Paragraph 43
  412. Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 1)
  413. 44Paragraph 44
  414. Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 12)
  415. 45Paragraph 45
  416. Part 2: AMENDMENTS RELATING TO PART 2
  417. Gas Act 1965 (c.36)
  418. 46Paragraph 46
  419. Transport Act 1968 (c.73)
  420. 47Paragraph 47
  421. Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 (c.56)
  422. 48Paragraph 48
  423. Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (c.37)
  424. 49Paragraph 49
  425. Control of Pollution Act 1974 (c.40)
  426. 50Paragraph 50
  427. Water (Scotland) Act 1980 (c.45)
  428. 51Paragraph 51
  429. Zoo Licensing Act 1981 (c.37)
  430. 52Paragraph 52
  431. Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (c.45)
  432. 53Paragraph 53
  433. Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c.27)
  434. 54Paragraph 54
  435. Cinemas Act 1985 (c.13)
  436. 55Paragraph 55
  437. Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (c.26)
  438. 56Paragraph 56 Repealed
  439. Strathclyde Regional Council Order Confirmation Act 1991 (c.xx)
  440. 57Paragraph 57
  441. Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 (c.22)
  442. 58Paragraph 58
  443. Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (c.21)
  444. 59Paragraph 59
  445. Scottish Borders Council (Jim Clark Memorial Rally) Order Confirmation Act 1996 (c.xii)
  446. 60Paragraph 60
  447. Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 7)
  448. 61Paragraph 61
  449. Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002 (asp 11)
  450. 62Paragraph 62
  451. Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 13)
  452. 63Paragraph 63
  453. Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 (asp 1)
  454. 64Paragraph 64
  455. Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 4)
  456. 65Paragraph 65
  457. Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c.21)
  458. 66Paragraph 66
  459. Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 2)
  460. 67Paragraph 67
  461. Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 5)
  462. 68Paragraph 68
  463. Gambling Act 2005 (c.19)
  464. 69Paragraph 69
  465. Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (asp 1)
  466. 70Paragraph 70
  467. Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 (c.19)
  468. 71Paragraph 71
  469. Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (asp 8)
  470. 72Paragraph 72
  471. Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011 (asp 12)
  472. 73Paragraph 73
  473. Part 3: AMENDMENTS RELATING TO BOTH PARTS
  474. Pipe-lines Act 1962 (c.58)
  475. 74Paragraph 74
  476. Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 (c.39)
  477. 75Paragraph 75
  478. Schedule 8: Repeals
  479. 1Repeals relating to Part 1
  480. 2Repeals relating to Part 2
  481. 3Repeals relating to both Parts