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MSPs take evidence on single police force and fire service bill Acpos chief announces date for single police force
(about 1 hour later)
Leading fire and police officers are to tell Holyrood what they think of plans to reorganise the country's forces. A single police force in Scotland is expected to begin operating from the beginning of April next year.
MSPs will look at draft legislation, focusing on its potential impact to local democracy. The president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland), Chief Constable Kevin Smith, said the proposed date was 1 April, 2013.
The news comes on the day leading fire and police officers are due to tell Holyrood what they think of the plans to reorganise the country's forces.
The local government and regeneration committee sits later to hear evidence.
MSPs will look at draft legislation, focusing on its potential impact on local democracy.
The Scottish Government's Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill will establish single forces for each service by merging regional divisions.The Scottish Government's Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill will establish single forces for each service by merging regional divisions.
Holyrood's Local Government and Regeneration Committee is the first to look at the bill.
The committee will consider what the changes will mean for councils, police boards, community planning and jobs.The committee will consider what the changes will mean for councils, police boards, community planning and jobs.
The afternoon session is expected to include the president of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, the Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland and the Scottish Police Services Authority. The afternoon session will hear directly from Mr Smith as well as the Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland and the Scottish Police Services Authority.
Representatives of the Chief Fire Officers Association Scotland and the Fire Brigades Union, as well as councillors, are also due to attend.Representatives of the Chief Fire Officers Association Scotland and the Fire Brigades Union, as well as councillors, are also due to attend.