Recruitment campaign underway for ‘outstanding and accomplished’ chief officer for Police Scotland

The starting pistol has been fired to find an “exceptional leader” for the second biggest job in policing.

A recruitment campaign was formally launched today to fill the vacancy following the resignation of Police Scotland Chief Constable Phil Gormley in February.

The Scottish Police Authority is seeking applications from “outstanding and accomplished” policing figures to take the force to its “next stage of development”.

Seen as one of the most significant leadership roles in UK policing – as well as one of the most important public appointments in Scotland – the SPA has set a June 25 deadline from which to select its next chief officer.

Deputy chief constable designate Iain Livingstone, who has filled the void left by the departing Mr Gormley in the interim, is one of the favourites to land the post.

If he is ultimately successful, it will be a complete volte-face for the Police Scotland deputy as he originally planned to retire from the service but changed his mind last September when Mr Gormley was placed on special leave while misconduct complaints were being examined by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.

The chief constable never returned to his desk after deciding it would be impossible to resume his duties in “any meaningful way” if he returned to work ahead of his contract’s expiration later this year.

The successful candidate for the role of chief constable, who will be unveiled in late August, inherits a workforce of more than 22,000 police officers and staff and a budget of more than £1 billion.

The force serves a population of more than five million people, in cities and towns and across rural and island communities.

The qualities envisaged for the appointee should “understand the unique role of leading Scotland’s national police service . . . and build on the proud history and achievements of Scotland’s police service while ensuring that it adapts to meet the needs of the country’s diverse communities in a changing world”, the SPA job advertisement says.

It adds: “An outstanding and accomplished police leader, you will have extensive experience of leading a significant policing organisation and a track record of successfully delivering large scale complex change. You will have excellent skills in relationship building, influencing others and communication, and you will be able to inspire and motivate others. Fundamental to your success will be your ability to command high levels of confidence and trust within the service; with stakeholders and with the public.”

SPA chair Susan Deacon said: “We have put in place an open and robust selection process to make this key appointment and we are looking for an exceptional and accomplished leader to take up this vital role.”

The appointment process has been tested and approved by the SPA’s newly created Succession Planning and Appointments Committee.

A selection panel has been convened which will be chaired by Miss Deacon and include National Crime Agency Director General Lynne Owens, Scottish Government Director-General for Health & Social Care and NHS Scotland chief executive Paul Gray, Highlands & Islands Enterprise chair Professor Lorne Crerar and SPA member Mary Pitcaithly. HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland Gill Imery will act as an advisor to the panel.