 The body will develop a national forensic science service |
A new organisation that will bring together police support services is to be up and running within weeks. The Scottish Police Services Authority, which will have a �80m budget and 1,200 staff, will be responsible for creating a national forensic science service.
The umbrella organisation will also bring together police training, criminal records and develop new national information systems.
The SPSA would give forces more time to fight crime, the justice minister said.
It will be responsible for services provided by the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, the Scottish Criminal Record Office and the Scottish Police College.
'Consistent governance'
"Shared and common police support services play an important role in underpinning the fight against crime," Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said.
"However, while they have served the Scottish police well, they have no clear legal identity, no consistent governance and accountability arrangements and no authority to employ their own staff or enter into contracts.
"The establishment for the SPSA will address those issues and in the longer term bring benefits in terms of greater efficiency and better use of expertise."
David Mulhern, former assistant chief constable of the British Transport Police, has been appointed chief executive of the new body, which will be established by 1 April.
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