Two new divisional commanders appointed in north of Scotland

Chief Superintendent Conrad Trickett will take over responsibility for Highland and Islands Division, while Chief Superintendent George Macdonald returns to North East Division after serving in the Highland and Islands for the past three years.

Chief Supt Macdonald began his career with Grampian Police in 1991 and has undertaken a variety of roles, including operational policing at all ranks, CID, intelligence and extensive partnership working with public, private and voluntary sectors. He has previously worked both within Aberdeen city and the rural communities of Aberdeenshire and Moray before he was promoted to divisional commander in 2017.

A former Royal Marines Officer, Chief Supt Trickett has served in a variety of operational and corporate roles in the north of Scotland, including serving as an area commander for Dundee before leading on major events and operations, including T in the Park and the 2018 Open Golf Championship, as well as emergency and resilience planning for the North Command area.

He has led contingency planning for major nationwide events, was seconded to the Scottish Police Authority for a period during his career and most recently helped lead the national resilience coordination for Police Scotland’s response to Covid-19.

Current North East Divisional Commander Campbell Thomson is due to retire on August 14 following a 30-year police career in the north of Scotland. Chief Supt Thomson joined Grampian Police in 1990, undertaking a variety of roles, including detective chief superintendent and Head of CID for the legacy former Grampian force.

The formation of Police Scotland in 2013 saw him appointed as lead for the national Major Investigation teams responsible for the investigation of all homicides throughout Scotland, and in January 2014 he was appointed assistant chief constable for local policing north. He returned as Divisional Commander for the North East in 2015.

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: “Firstly, I would like to thank Chief Superintendent Thomson for his service to both Grampian Police and Police Scotland over the past three decades. His professionalism, leadership and ability commands utmost respect across Scotland, while his dedication to the North East has been outstanding. On behalf of the entire force, I wish him a long and very happy retirement.

“I am also delighted to confirm the appointments of both Chief Superintendent Macdonald and Chief Superintendent Trickett to North East and Highland and Islands divisions. Both bring a wealth of diverse experience and knowledge to their respective areas, and share in Police Scotland’s collective focus of protecting the people of Scotland while inspiring our officers and staff.

“Maintaining public confidence in policing has never been so important, and as the force navigates its way through such a challenging time it is absolutely crucial that the right people are in place to ensure that local, community policing remains at the heart of what we do. I know both divisional commanders will serve our communities well.”