Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012

85 Scrutiny and investigations: co-operation and information sharing

(1) The inspectors of constabulary, the Auditor General and the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner must—

(a) co-operate and co-ordinate activity with each other with a view to improving the carrying out of their respective functions in relation to the Authority and the Police Service, and

(b) in particular, must together make arrangements with a view to—

(i) securing the exchange of information between them about the Authority and the Police Service, and

(ii) preventing any unnecessary duplication in relation to any inspections, investigations, inquiries or examinations carried out, or to be carried out, by them in relation to the Authority or the Police Service.

(2) The duty in subsection (1) does not apply in so far as compliance with it would prevent or delay any of the persons to whom it applies in taking any action which the person considers to be necessary as a matter of urgency.

(3) In complying with the duty in subsection (1), the inspectors of constabulary and the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner must—

(a) comply with any direction (general or specific) given by the Scottish Ministers, and

(b) have regard to any guidance given by the Scottish Ministers.

(4) A direction or guidance may relate to all the functions of the inspectors of constabulary and the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner or to such of those functions (or to such functions of any or all of them) as are specified in the direction or guidance.

(5) The Scottish Ministers may vary or revoke any direction or guidance.