The M9 tragedy has placed Police Scotland in the public eye. Investigations are rightly taking place. The level of scrutiny is significant, as is to be expected. Initial suggestions are of human error, which affects every walk of life, but, in some occupations, the consequences are more severe. Not only the service but the individual involved will be devastated. The usual exemplary service provided responding to crises or dealing with everyday issues forgotten amidst the tumult.

If there is any systemic failure it will be addressed. Change there had to be in control rooms. They were neither interoperable nor sited across historic boundaries, possessing a multiplicity of IT systems that would challenge a country, let alone a police service. Change is never easy and certainly not under the backdrop of austerity. However, despite recent tribulations, two things remain clear. First, that Police Scotland was not only necessary but long overdue. Secondly, that the service given is in the main outstanding.

The establishment of Police Scotland was a virtue born from necessity. The virtue was that, at long last, specialist services could be provided and similar standards delivered across the country. No more does the police response to domestic violence depend upon the area in which you reside. Likewise, a National Rape Investigation Unit and an Anti Human Trafficking Unit have been created amongst other specialist units. Vital issues are provided with the resources necessary and are available across all Scotland, not just in the urban areas. Events that the country is proud to host such as the Commonwealth Games are far easier to manage on a national basis. Officers kept locally but able to be deployed nationally and vital technological change being implemented; all only possible under a single service.

The necessity was financial cutbacks which were such that duplication could no longer be afforded and often artificial boundaries could not be justified. Had change not been made the situation being played out south of the Border would have afflicted Scotland. In England and Wales almost as many officers as serve in Scotland have been lost. Moreover, in some forces significant issues that affect communities routinely are no longer classified as police matters. Privatisation may well return to the agenda.

In Scotland without change larger Forces would have struggled and smaller ones would simply have been unable to deliver both police numbers and service. As we enter a further period of enforced austerity Police Scotland is in a far better position to cope than Health or Local Government where duplication abounds. Pressures will still remain not simply financial which will affect all areas of public life. Issues such as terrorism and historic sexual abuse impact significantly on police resources. Police officers cannot be everywhere and when there are calls for major enquires or public security, community policing is bound to be affected.

It hasn’t been easy for Police Scotland. This has been the largest public-sector reform in generations, carried out done in a very tight timescale. Issues were bound to arise whether through errors made or umbrage at changes inflicted. Moreover, organisations take time to bed down and that applies both to the police and other agencies such as the Scottish Police Authority.

Errors happen and officers fall from grace but that happens in all walks of life. It remains a service not a business or a force. Officers carry out what is often a difficult and dangerous job routinely unarmed and frequently under working conditions many would baulk at. They police by consent and remain both trusted and respected by the overwhelming majority of the public. Significant changes have been made in gender balance and progress in ethnicity; and in the main officers come from or live in or near the communities they serve. An ethos of public service prevails and standards are high.

It’s right that errors are addressed and actions challenged. But reference to halcyon days of Dixon of Dock Green that never existed does a disservice crime disproportionality affects poor areas. Law and order is not an issue for the right wing but a right for all communities. Police Scotland is not an alien force but a Scottish service made up of local men and women. Policing is rightly admired around the world. Police Scotland remains an outstanding public service. The challenges it faces and the issues of concern will be addressed and the normally outstanding service will continue to be given.

Kenny MacAskill MSP is a former Justice Secretary in the Scottish Government.