Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill
As introduced, this Bill would require the police to have a code of ethics, make changes relating to the handling of police conduct, increase the functions of the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner and introduce an advisory board for the Commissioner.
The Bill is at Stage 1
Contents
Stage 1 - General principles
Committees examine the Bill and gather views. They produce reports before MSPs debate the Bill in the Chamber. MSPs then decide on the purpose (“general principles”) of the Bill.
The Bill is at Stage 1
Committee Examination
The lead committee for this Bill is the Criminal Justice Committee
Find out more about this committee
Background research
A research briefing on the background to the Police (Ethics, Conduct & Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill and a review of police complaints systems in other jurisdictions.
Police Complaints Background Note by the Clerk (1MB, pdf) posted 26 June 2023
Criminal Justice Committee’s approach to the Bill
The Criminal Justice Committee has agreed its intended approach to scrutiny of the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.
The Committee issued a call for views, with a closing date for written submissions of Friday, 8 December 2023.
Following the closing date, the Committee will consider who to invite to provide oral evidence on the Bill.
The Committee is expected to begin oral evidence taking once its Stage 1 consideration of the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill has concluded.
Please note that the above information is for planning purposes only and it is subject to change.
Submit your views
The Committee’s call for views closed on Friday, 8 December 2023.
Timetable
The timetable that the committee followed while examining the Bill at Stage 1
Stage 1 deadline
On 1 November 2023, the Parliament agreed motion S6M-11046, that consideration of the Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill at stage 1 be completed by 21 June 2024.
Who spoke to the lead committee in the Parliament
MSPs met with people in committee meetings to discuss what the Bill will do.
Minutes of 20 September 2023 (in private)
Minutes of 6 February 2024 (in private)
Minutes of 21 February 2024 (in private)
Minutes of 13 March 2024 (in private)
Minutes of 17 April 2024
Minutes of 24 April 2024
Minutes of 8 May 2024
Meeting on 17 April 2024
Engagement
Informal Meeting
On
Wednesday 17 April 2024, the Criminal Justice Committee heard informally from
an individual with experience of the police complaints system. An anonymised
note of the discussion can be found here.
Read the note (85KB, pdf) posted 14 May 2024
Correspondence
Committee correspondence sent and received while the Bill progressed through Parliament
Letter from the Convener to the Convener of the Criminal Justice Committee of 16 May 2024
Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill Committee Scrutiny
Letter from Craig Naylor, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary to the Convener, 9 May 2024
Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill Financial Memorandum
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs to the Convener, 1 May 2024
Work by other committees
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Report published on 12 December 2023
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Evidence session on 26 March 2024 (Read the Official Report)
Evidence session on 7 May 2024 (Read the Official Report)
Committee report
The lead committee will publish its report following the Stage 1 debate.