New ACPOS general secretary appointed

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) has appointed Caroline Scott as the new general secretary.

Mrs Scott joined Strathclyde Police in 1979, beginning her career in Glasgow city centre, serving as a constable for twelve years followed by promotion to sergeant and then inspector.

In 1996 Mrs Scott was appointed as the deputy head of the force`s six year anti-crime initiative and was then promoted to head of the corporate communications department in 2001.

In 2002, Mrs Scott was appointed to sub divisional officer for South Lanarkshire and was based at Hamilton police office for three years. She took on the role of deputy head of the force’s Community Safety Department for a short time before being appointed deputy divisional commander of South Lanarkshire.

She was then made acting divisional commander before taking up her appointment as head of force inspectorate in 2006 where she also held responsibility for health and safety, information assurance and crime management.

Mrs Scott was the Divisional Commander for North Lanarkshire Division within Strathclyde Police from 2008.

Following completion of the Strategic Command Course, in April 2009 she was appointed head of public protection, incorporating human trafficking, rape and serious sexual crime, offender management , child protection and vulnerable adults.

Mrs Scott said: “I am honoured to take on the revised role of General Secretary of ACPOS at a time when the forces of Scotland are increasingly driving a forward looking, modernising agenda.

“It is vital that in this time of change, growing complexity and increasingly constrained finances that ACPOS is in a strong position to ensure that its voice, with its clear focus on supporting forces in Scotland in delivering the best service possible to Scottish communities and Scottish people, is heard.”

Chief Constable Patrick Shearer of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, President of ACPOS, said: “Caroline is an excellent choice to support me and my colleagues in taking ACPOS forward through one of the most challenging periods in Scottish policing. It is vital that the person in day to day charge of the association has a wide knowledge and deep understanding of the police service and an awareness of how we work with partners.

“Her career in the police has been varied and has given her that knowledge and understanding coupled with excellent people skills and an enthusiasm which will help take ACPOS forward.”