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Scottish Police Services Authority
31/10/2007
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill today announced the appointment of two new police authority members to the Scottish Police Services Authority (SPSA).
George Kay, Strategic Chair of Fife Council's Police, Fire and Safety Committee and a member of Fife Council since 2005. Councillor Kay has considerable experience of management in industry and has served his local community in a number of different roles. He does not hold any other ministerial appointments.
Paul Rooney, Convener of Strathclyde Joint Police Board, who has been a member of Glasgow City Council since 2005. Councillor Rooney has experience as a solicitor and a Procurator Fiscal Depute and currently serves as Convener of the Scottish Police Authority Conveners Forum. He does not hold any other ministerial appointments.
The appointments are with immediate effect and will run from October 16, 2007 to July 1, 2011.
The posts are part-time with a time commitment of two-three days per month and do not attract remuneration.
The SPSA provides expert policing and support services to the country's eight police forces and criminal justice community.
It plays an important role in the effectiveness of modern policing by providing criminal records, forensic services, specialist ICT (from 2008), training - including the Scottish Police College - corporate services and specialist officers and staff for the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA).
Launched on April 1, 2007 as a non-departmental public body, SPSA has an independent Convener and a Board comprising representatives of Scotland's police forces, police boards and independent members.
Ministerial public appointments are made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland's Code of Practice.
All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if there is any to be declared) to be made public. George Kay is a member of the Scottish National Party and Paul Rooney is a member of the Scottish Labour Party.