Should the public decide who succeeds Sir Stephen House as Scotland’s police chief?
ByMichael Alexander
Sir Stephen House is standing down early as Scotland's chief constable.
England and Wales have brought in elected police and crime commissioners.
America has a mixed system where some states have a so-called “Boss Hogg” style of policing where almost all chiefs of police are appointed alongside a system of elected sheriffs.
Here in Scotland, the chief constable is appointed by and accountable to the Scottish Police Authority.
But amid calls for the Scottish Government to take stock and revisit the whole raison d’etre of Police Scotland, is there a case for the chief constable of Scotland being elected?
For our special look at the pros and cons of elected police chiefs, see Wednesday’s Courier.
Should the public decide who succeeds Sir Stephen House as Scotland’s police chief?
