ABSTRACT
The chief constable is accountable to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and board, which in turn are vertically accountable to the cabinet secretary for justice and ultimately the Scottish parliament. This chapter explores how perceptions and behaviours related to authority, role, group dynamics and leadership have impacted on the board. In December 2016, the auditor general (Audit Scotland, 2016), stated: “The SPA and Police Scotland are among the largest and most important public bodies in Scotland. Authority in policing is contingent upon delegation by the state through legislation of police powers (from ‘above’) and sanction (from ‘below’) by the public – upholding ‘policing by consent’. Public sector boards operate at, and are contained within, the ‘societal’ level of authority, where its raison d’etre is public service, focus is on a better society and loyalty is towards the future. Much theoretical direction offered to public sector boards is derived from private sector experiences.
