First members of new SPA announced

Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has revealed the names of the first 12 people due to become members of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA).

The SPA, which will become operational on April 1, 2013, will support the first chief constable of a unified Police Service of Scotland, as well as holding it to account. Each will serve for four years after taking up their posts this month, while a further two members may be added at a later date.

The members are: author and communications expert Moiram Ali; Brian Barbour, former director of information security at Standard Life; public policy analyst Jeane Freeman; Graham Houston, current chairman of the Scottish Qualifications Authority; ex-council leader David Hume; Morag McLaughlin, legal member of the Parole Board for Scotland; Glasgow Labour councillor Paul Rooney; Ian Ross, a lecturer and former vice chair of Northern Police Board; NHS Ayrshire and Arran non-executive director Lisa Tennant; Iain Whyte, chair of the Scottish Police Authority Conveners’ Forum; former Deloitte partner Robert Wilson; and East Renfrewshire SNP councillor Douglas Yates. They will serve under Vic Emery OBE, the former boss of the Edinburgh Tram Project who was appointed SPA chair on August 31.

“They are a strong, capable and diverse team which will bring independence and expertise to the governance of Scottish policing,” said Mr Emery.

Mr MacAskill said the SPA will play a “pivotal” role in Scottish policing’s new set-up that will allow the force to further reduce crime.

“Scottish policing is performing excellently – supported by the 1,000 extra officers this government is committed to maintaining, crime is at a 37-year low and public confidence is high,” he said. “Reform and the establishment of a single service will help ensure communities right across Scotland continue to enjoy excellent policing.”