Frontline policing future debated
The future of frontline policing has been debated at the annual conference of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS).
Senior operational leaders of Scotland's eight forces are attending the two-day event.
They discussed a wide range of issues affecting police across the country including minimum pricing of alcohol.
The prospect of a single Scottish force was also due to be debated at the conference in Peebles in the Borders.
Ch Supt David O'Connor, president of ASPS, said: "The election is over, the new Scottish government is in place, and now is the time to get back to core policing business.
"Our conference will be an opportunity to hear what the cabinet secretary has to say on police reform and how the government will respond to issues such as sectarianism and Scotland's challenges with alcohol-related crime.
"We will also highlight a need for more policing powers to deal with alcohol problems in private places, particularly those which have become drinking dens and which are the subject of repeat police calls, to allow more early and effective intervention."