A target for an extra 1,000 police officers is still being met, according to the Scottish Government.
There were 17,436 full-time equivalent officers by the end of last year, up 7.4% or 1,202 since March 2007.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said additional officers are helping to reduce crime to its lowest level for 37 years.
"This Government has kept its promise to protect police posts, in direct contrast to the picture in England and Wales where police numbers have fallen to their lowest level in 11 years," he said.
"We will continue to deliver and build on our commitment to protect frontline services and keep communities safe when the new police service goes live next month."
The existing eight regional forces will become the Police Service of Scotland.
The figures are published as full-time equivalent positions which takes into account part-time staff covering the comparable workload of full-time officers.
