Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012

42 Examination of Police Service by Auditor General

(1) The Auditor General may initiate examinations into—

(a) the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the Police Service, and

(b) the arrangements made by the chief constable under section 37(2).

(2) In determining whether to initiate an examination, the Auditor General must take into account any proposals made by the Scottish Parliament.

(3) It is for the Auditor General personally to initiate an examination under this section and to decide who is to carry it out.

(4) In carrying out the examination that person (“the examiner”)—

(a) is not entitled to question the merits of the policy objectives of the chief constable or the Police Service, but

(b) may consider the appropriateness of any criteria used to assess the use of resources available to the Police Service.

(5) The examiner (if not the Auditor General) must report the results to the Auditor General, who may report the results to the Scottish Parliament and the Authority.

(6) The Auditor General may publish the results of an examination.

(7) Sections 23A and 24 of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 1) apply in relation to an examination under this section as they apply in relation to an examination under section 23 of that Act.