Scotland's new chief constable Phil Gormley has launched a staunch defence of his force saying it is "probably" better than those of crisis-hit England.
Mr Gormley, who has never served as an officer north of the Border, said he was convinced that a single national force was the best way of delivering "sustainable" policing.
But facing what his predecessor called "extreme measures" to balance his books, Mr Gormley added that he was braced for "relentless scrutiny" as he dealt with what he called the force's "significant reputational issues".
Speaking the day after he was sworn in at Tulliallan Police College in Fife, the veteran officer of 30 years said: "I don't buy in to the notion that [police reform] was a project that was ill-advised.
"My observation, having worked in a number of places, is that Police Scotland is the best answer.
"I worked as the chief constable of Norfolk. Can it develop the kind of capabilities it needs for cybercrime, for the live streaming of child sex abuse in to people's homes? No it can't. South of the border, there are not going to be any mergers, so you are getting ad-hoc sub-optimal collaborations."
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Mr Gormley's predecessor Sir Stephen House had long argued policing north of the border, which has undergone mergers, was performing better than those in England and Wales, which have not. Asked if Sir Stephen was right, he said "probably".
He also insisted that he would not have to make the kinds of warnings announced by English chief constables that the public should not expect them to attend routine housebreakings.
Mr Gormley rejected suggestions Police Scotland was a "damaged brand" after complaints over issues such as call-handling.
He said: "There are some very significant reputational issues and we will confront these over the next few months."
But the former deputy director of the UK's National Crime Agency acknowledged that Scottish policing faced significant financial challenges.
He called for a "grown-up conversation" about what the force should be expected to deliver within its budget and what its operational model should be.
Insiders suggest this reflects an existing dialogue between police and government over where the axe should fall.
Police Scotland is facing a forecast budget shortfall adding up to £85m over the next three years and is not expected to balance its budget this year.
The force, unlike those in England and Wales were cuts are deeper, is unable to slim its thin blue line thanks to a 2007 SNP election pledge for 1000 extra.
In his first press briefing, Mr Gormley refused to be drawn on such political decisions, but added "it would be naive not to be concerned" about his budget position.
Asked about the 1000 extra officer commitment, he said: "I don't want to get in to a conversation on day two of my job about numbers.
"We need to sensibly lay out what are the challenges that policing Scotland presents to the service.
"I don't think there is a magic number.
"I understand there is an ambition and a desire to see visible policing and that is right. I also know with a limited budget that some crime types require investment in capacity that is not just simply people."
Mr Gormley defeated two serving Scottish officers to get his job - which he said was a "opportunity" to see what a national force could achieve, with the right focus on accountability and local flexibility.
Praising Sir Stephen as an "incredible professional", Mr Gormley added: "The departure of my predecessor was not predicted by anybody. "It was a surprise. So it was an opportunity that came in a time frame that I was not expecting. The more important answer to it is I do believe in the national service."
Former Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said he hoped Mr Gormley's appointment would "calm the troubled political waters that have remained somewhat turbulent, even after the departure of his predecessor".
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