About us - FAQs
The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner ensures that Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority and the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner adopt lawful, effective and ethical practices to safeguard how biometric data is acquired, retained, used and destroyed for policing and criminal justice purposes
Yes – the Commissioner is independent of the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament. As a values-led organisation we conduct our activities in a way that is Independent, Transparent, Proportionate and Accountable
Funding is through the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB). The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Act 2020 provides for the SPCB to pay the salary and expenses of the Commissioner, and any expenses incurred in the exercise of the Commissioner’s function. Each year the SBC submit an estimated bid for funding to the SPCB. Further information can be found within our Annual Report & Accounts, our Strategic Plan or within our Medium-Term Financial Strategy
- Police Scotland
- Scottish Police Authority
- Police Investigations and Review Commissioner
The Commissioner has the power to ensure that biometric data is used in a lawful, effective and ethical manner in relation to policing and criminal justice. Compliance against the statutory Code of Practice is measured by conducting assurance reviews of biometric practices carried out by Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority and the Police Investigation and Review Commissioner. The Commissioner investigates complaints and potential breaches of the Code of Practice and has the power to serve compliance notices
The Commissioner is nominated by the Scottish Parliament and appointed by the monarch, for a period of no more than eight years.
The Commissioner’s terms of appointment are in Schedule 1 of the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Act 2020.
The Commissioner’s independence on decision-making and key statutory functions is an important aspect of their role and guaranteed by statute. They remain accountable to the Scottish Parliament for operations generally and are subject to many of the accountability structures that apply to Scottish public authorities.
The SBC has no punitive powers
The SBC enjoys a blend of staff drawn from police and non-police backgrounds. Find out more about who we are and meet the team
The assurance reviews are based on strategic objectives and priorities as laid out in the 4-Year Strategic Plan 2025/29
When a report is laid at Parliament, this means it will be published on our website and made available to the public. The dates of all our forthcoming reports can be found within our Strategic Plan 2025/29