Commander appointed for North police force 24/1/13
Northern Constabulary Chief Superintendent Julian Innes has been chosen by Chief
Constable Steven House as local police commander for the Highlands and Islands.
He is one Scotland’s new 14 commanders who will oversee local policing operations
across Scotland.
The appointment of local police commanders follows consultation with every Scottish
local authority and places a focus on the delivery of local policing within a national
police service.
Chief Supt Julian Innes said: "Here in the Highlands and Islands we enjoy some of
the highest detection rates in the UK and it is my job to ensure that we maintain
these high as we move into a new era of policing in Scotland.
"The Highlands and Islands are among the safest places to live, work and invest in
the UK and it will be my job, along with that of my colleagues, to ensure we work
hard to keep people safe.”
Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick is tasked with overseeing the delivery of
local policing across Scotland. Her local policing team also includes three assistant
Chief Constables who will work closely with the team announced today covering the
North, East and West commands.
She said: "The Local Commanders will work closely with communities to reflect their
concerns in highly-localised policing plans – one for every council ward area in
Scotland.
"They will be the recognisable and visible faces leading on local policing from Shetland
to the Solway Firth, across each council area in Scotland.
"They will be responsible for ensuring the best possible service to our communities
by working with the public to identify local priorities, tackle the issues of greatest
concern and maintain the performance which has seen record low crime levels achieved.
"Local policing, which is fully connected to our communities, is the engine room
of the single police service. We will work hard to ensure that local connects to
national and that specialist functions are available equally throughout the country,
according to demand and need.
"I am delighted to be leading local policing in the new service at this exciting
time and look forward to the challenge of making real improvements to your policing
in communities across the country.”