Fife Police are performing well, with falling crime levels and rising detection rates, according to the latest inspection report.
It found that the force has also maintained police officer numbers while embarking on a significant programme to manage a reduction in budget.
The report said Fife Police, alongside Fife Police Authority, could do better in areas including internal communication of local priorities, more informative performance reports and further steps to reduce domestic abuse and hate crime.
The Best Value Audit and Inspection: Fife Constabulary and Fife Police Authority sets out how these bodies are meeting their duties to deliver the best value in what they do.
It is a joint report from the Accounts Commission and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS).
Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary, Andrew Laing, said: "Fife Constabulary does a good job for the people it serves.
"The force is delivering on its long-term strategy of taking policing closer to the community."
The Accounts Commission found that the police authority, through its police, fire and safety committee, is effective, with particular strength in the vision for community policing it shares with the force.
John Baillie, chairman of the Accounts Commission, said: "Fife Police Authority performs well.
"There is room for improvement in its scrutiny of the force but the new police transition committee set up to oversee the move to the single force has positive momentum and this needs to be maintained in the months ahead."
