The Scottish Police Authority (SPA), (Scottish Gaelic: Ùghdarras Poilis na h-Alba), is a public body of the Scottish Government which holds Police Scotland, the national police service, to account.

Both bodies were established on 1 April 2013,[3] following an announcement on 8 September 2011 in which the Scottish Government confirmed a single police service would be created to replace the existing eight forces, the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Scottish Police Services Authority.

[5] After scrutiny and debate by the Scottish Parliament, the legislation was approved on 27 June 2012.

One of the key provisions of the legislation includes clear responsibilities for the chief constable and, to ensure continued separation from ministers, a new Scottish Police Authority with 11 to 15 members and a remit to hold the chief constable to account.

It is accountable to ministers and Parliament and it is supported by a senior officer and small staff team to help it perform its role.