About us

Police Scotland was established on 1 April 2013 and is responsible for policing across the whole of Scotland, some 28,168 square miles, covering a third of the United Kingdom's landmass with a unique range of urban, rural, island and remote communities. They are the second largest police service in the UK with over 17,000 police officers and over 5,000 staff members working together for the people of Scotland.

Their purpose is to improve the safety and wellbeing of people, places and communities in Scotland, focusing on Keeping People Safe in line with their values of Integrity, Fairness and Respect.

The Service is led by Chief Constable Iain Livingstone QPM, supported by a command team of three Deputy Chief Constables, a Deputy Chief Officer, Assistant Chief Constables and Directors.

There are 13 local policing divisions, each headed by a Chief Superintendent who ensures that local policing in each area is responsive, accountable and tailored to meet local needs. Each division encompasses response officers, community officers, local crime investigation, public protection and local intelligence.

The local policing divisions are supported by a number of national specialist divisions. The Specialist Crime Division (SCD) provides investigative and intelligence functions such as Major Crime investigation, Public Protection, Organised Crime, Counter Terrorism, Intelligence and Safer Communities.

The Operational Support Division (OSD) provides specialist support functions such as Road Policing, Firearms, Public Order, Air Support, Marine Policing, Dogs and Mounted Branch, as well as Emergency and Events Planning. These national divisions ensure every community in Scotland has access to specialist policing services.

Calls from the public are handled by their Contact, Command and Control Division with Area Control Rooms at four locations across the country which deploy resources.

Their people are supported by Corporate Functions including Procurement, Finance, People and Development and Corporate Communications.

The Procurement Service sits within Corporate Support Services under the Finance function of Police Scotland.

Any candidate that they wish to appoint will be subject to personnel vetting. The level of vetting for these roles is Management Vetting. More information can be supplied as required.