The Scottish Government has been urged to take some responsibility for a series of “debacles” that have faced the police force.
Labour justice spokesman Hugh Henry said SNP ministers had created Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and must address issues that have dented public and political confidence.
He claimed the civilian oversight body was “toothless” and had failed to properly scrutinise the force.
Mr Henry used a member’s debate yesterday to highlight concerns over controversial issues such as stop and search, armed police, civilian staff reductions, performance targets, officers carrying out backroom roles and lost data.
“We have debacles sponsored by the Scottish Government and it is time now for it to take some responsibility for some of its decisions and sort out this mess once and for all,” he added.
Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman Alison McInnes, a north-east MSP, claimed the SPA had “proven ineffective and lacking in clout”.
“It isn’t conducting scrutiny in the way it ought to and it doesn’t exactly inspire confidence,” she added.
The exchanges sparked an angry response from Christine Grahame, convener of the justice sub-committee on policing, who claimed it was inappropriate to use a member’s debate to launch political attacks.
Deputy presiding officer John Scott said Mr Henry’s motion for debate was in order but the SNP MSP said she had written to another committee to ask for the rules to be changed as the debate “sails close to an abuse of parliamentary procedures”.
“This is an opposition debate in all but name but safe from meaningful amendments and a vote,” she argued.
Ms Grahame said the sub-committee had held 29 meetings since the force was established and had not given senior officers and SPA representatives an “easy ride”.
Community Safety Minister Paul Wheelhouse conceded there had been “teething troubles” but defended the force’s record in keeping communities safe.
He claimed policing was “more accountable and transparent than ever”.
Mr Wheelhouse said: “Clearly there are lessons that can be learned to ensure the SPA can hold Police Scotland to account and effectively at the right time.
“I know that the chief constable and the chairman of the SPA are committed to tackling these issues and the whole chamber should welcome that.”