Police Scotland and Scottish Government meeting: May 2026

Attendees and apologies

• Neil Gray, MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice
• Jo Farrell, Chief Constable, Police Scotland
• Stuart Houston, Assistant Chief Constable, Police Scotland
• Kerry Morgan, Deputy Director, Police Division
• Kirstin McPhee, Police Division

Items and actions

Key priorities and challenges

The Cabinet Secretary opened the meeting by emphasising the importance of building a strong and constructive working relationship, underpinned by openness, honesty and mutual trust, while recognising the challenges within the policing and justice landscape.

The Chief Constable welcomed this approach and confirmed her commitment to working collaboratively. 

The Cabinet Secretary asked the Chief Constable about her current priorities, and the Chief Constable noted it would be helpful for the Cabinet Secretary to attend a half day strategic session with Police Scotland to provide a deeper understanding of key operational priorities, including community policing, frontline delivery, counter-terrorism and serious and organised crime. The Cabinet Secretary welcomed this and indicated willingness to attend, subject to Parliamentary commitments.

The Cabinet Secretary highlighted the importance of developing a broader understanding of policing pressures, including both reactive and preventative activity, and how these interact with the wider justice and public service system.

There was agreement that a stronger focus on prevention could help reduce demand across policing and other services, and support improved outcomes across the Cabinet Secretary’s wider portfolio. The Cabinet Secretary indicated a desire to pursue a more preventative, system-wide approach to reduce long-term pressure on policing.

The Cabinet Secretary affirmed his commitment to provide visible ministerial support for policing efforts and ensure Police Scotland has the right tools and legislative frameworks within which to operate. 

Cup final planning

The Cabinet Secretary asked about preparations for the cup final, noting the recent incidents of violence and disorder after the SPFL league decider. The Chief Constable provided assurances arrangements were in place for the match and reiterated statements she had made publicly, urging for more accountability from some clubs and football authorities. The Cabinet Secretary and the Chief Constable agreed this is an area where further work should be explored to enhance this accountability and provide sufficient deterrents for certain behaviour.