Police sub-committee plans unveiled

Jan 23 2013

Proposals to set up a parliamentary sub-committee to oversee the new single police force are to be put forward at Holyrood.

The Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee want to establish the new sub-committee to examine policing matters as the single force goes live from April.

The group - consisting of three MSPs from Justice and three MSPs from committees with an interest in policing issues - would also oversee the Scottish Police Authority, which is the watchdog of the new force.

Justice Committee convener Christine Grahame said: "In setting up the new national police body, an incredibly powerful organisation, it is vital we get this right first time.

"We believe it therefore commands a more formal and detailed examination of its accountability than the Justice Committee can devote to it due to our heavy legislative programme."

The sub-committee can only be established with the approval of Parliament.