The chief constable has been asked by a Holyrood committee to explain plans to close public access to police stations.
MSPs want to hear from Sir Stephen House, the top officer in Scotland, amid “growing local concern” about community policing.
Sir Stephen is considering scrapping public counters at 65 of the country’s 214 stations in an attempt to offer “value for money” in the new national service.
Christine Grahame, convener of Holyrood’s Justice Sub-Committee on Policing, said: “In light of growing local concern regarding policing in our communities, together with the proposals to remove or reduce police-counter provision and the apparent standardisation of policing practices across Scotland, we need to examine this issue in greater detail.
“Our committee agreed this afternoon that it is essential to hear from those at the top and their perspectives on this important issue.”
Sir Stephen, representatives from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland, were invited to attend a meeting on October 31.
The move was announced shortly after First Minister Alex Salmond heard concerns in Parliament about the review of public access at police stations.
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