Scottish Police Authority in search for specialist 'to get our financial house in order'

Police Scotland’s civilian oversight body intends to draft in a financial specialist within weeks “to get our financial house in order”.

The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) announced the move after Audit Scotland warned of “significant issues” in Scottish police accounts.

Auditor General Caroline Gardner said “stronger leadership” was needed from the SPA and Police Scotland in financial management.

Gardner's annual audit of the SPA accounts found “incomplete records and poor financial management” with “substantial corrections” required before completion.

The Authority has now confirmed that it will appoint a chief financial officer for a minimum of four months to address concerns raised by the watchdog, overseeing the financial management of both the SPA and Police Scotland.

The individual will also be also be tasked with preparing a long-term financial strategy, the development of which Audit Scotland declared “critical”.

SPA chair Andrew Flanagan said: “The immediate objectives are to get our financial house in order to avoid a further critical audit report, to grip cost saving initiatives and minimise forecast overspend within the current financial year, prepare a policing budget for 2016-17 within the available resources announced this week by the Scottish Government, and prepare a financial strategy that will provide policing with a sound basis on which to evolve a broader policing strategy for Scotland.

“This decisive and immediate action, complemented by an enhanced focus on financial controls within the SPA’s internal audit work, is necessary to address the serious and pressing financial issues identified. I will give further consideration to financial accountability within my overall police governance review, which will report in March.”

A recruitment campaign has been launched with the individual expected to spend at least four months in post. The SPA’s current director of financial accountability will report to them.  

The Audit Scotland report also highlighted the need for greater transparency in how the SPA and Police Scotland have used reform funding from the Scottish Government, significant budget constraints such as staffing commitments and VAT liability, and new pressures on policing from emerging crime, like cybercrime and heightened terrorist threats.

Police Scotland deputy chief constable Neil Richardson said: “Police Scotland welcomes the report by Audit Scotland and will work with the Scottish Police Authority on financial issues to support the delivery of policing in Scotland.”