Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012

11 Ranks

(1) The ranks which a constable may hold are—

(a) chief constable,

(b) deputy chief constable,

(c) assistant chief constable,

(d) chief superintendent,

(e) superintendent,

(f) chief inspector,

(g) inspector,

(h) sergeant,

(i) constable.

(2) Constables appointed as senior officers under section 7 are to hold the rank corresponding to the office to which they are appointed.

(3) It is for the chief constable to assign, and to make promotions to, ranks below that of assistant chief constable.

(4) A constable may be demoted in rank only—

(a) if the constable consents, or

(b) in accordance with regulations made under section 48.

(5) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations modify subsection (1) to add or remove any rank below that of chief constable.

(6) Regulations made under subsection (5) may make such provision in consequence of the addition or removal of a rank as the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate including (in particular) provision—

(a) creating or removing an office corresponding to the rank,

(b) relating to the functions of senior officers,

(c) modifying this or any other enactment.

(7) Before making regulations, the Scottish Ministers must consult—

(a) the chief constable,

(b) the Authority,

(c) the joint central committee of the Police Federation for Scotland,

(d) such persons as appear to them to be representative of senior officers,

(e) such persons as appear to them to be representative of superintendents (including chief superintendents), and

(f) such other persons as they consider appropriate.