AN INVESTIGATION has been commissioned into the effectiveness of Scotland's single police force.

A team of academics is to examine the performance of Police Scotland after a series of alleged failings.

It is understood the Scottish Institute for Policing Research (SIPR) has been given the £270,000 contract to investigate what may have gone wrong and to identify areas where "adjustments may need to be made".

It comes just four days after former SNP leader Gordon Wilson launched a scathing attack on what he said was Police Scotland failures and called for a "root and branch" reform of the service.

A series of controversies have dogged Police Scotland since its formation in 2013.

Chief Constable Sir Stephen House has faced calls for his resignation following criticism over the arming of police officers, the closure of local stations and high levels of stop and search,

Deep concern has also been expressed at the death in custody of Sheku Bayoh in Kirkcaldy as well as the scandal which saw M9 crash victim Lamara Bell spend three days in a car before police responded to a call reporting the accident.

On Sunday, Miss Bell's brother Martin called for answers and demanded that those to blame accept responsibility.

On Thursday Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House defended the single force after a Mr Wilson called for it to be broken up.

In a statement issued with Vic Emery, chairman of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), Sir Stephen hit back at Gordon Wilson’s claims that the single police force created in 2013 suffers from “delusions of grandeur” and should be federalised.

He issued an appeal to give the new national force more time following a series of scandals that he admitted made it appear “more tempting to turn back than go on.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "The evaluation aims to evaluate if the policy aims of reform have been met. It also seeks to evaluate the wider impact of the reform on the justice and public service system and record the lessons which can be learned and used to inform future public service reform.

"The evaluation will provide us with an independent evidence base which demonstrates the progress of reform.

"We will be able to learn and share positive lessons in terms of what is working well, as well as identify any challenges to progress, allowing us to focus our efforts on areas where adjustments may need to be made."