Search for new Police Scotland chief constable starts

The £212,000-a-year job to head Scotland’s single police force has been advertised.

Applicants to replace Sir Stephen House as chief constable of Police Scotland have a little under three weeks to apply.

The recruitment process comes after House announced in August his intention to stand down later this year.

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Sources suggest up to four existing members of the Police Scotland executive team could throw their hat into the ring, though applicants from south of the border are expected too.

The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) said an “exceptional leader” is being sought “to take forward the next phase of police service transformation in Scotland”.

The starting salary for the post is £212,280 - with no bonus - and interviews will be held next month.

New SPA chair Andrew Flanagan will chair the selection panel, with a member of SOLACE and the Scottish Government’s director-general for learning and justice, Paul Johnston, among those who will sit on it.

A survey of almost 12,000 police officers and staff, which was published last week, found one in three intend to leave the service within the next three years.

Fewer than one in ten of the current police workforce believed the organisation is genuinely interested in wellbeing, according to the survey. 

Flanagan said: “All those shortlisted for the job can expect to be challenged on how they would personally address the central issues within the recent workforce survey.

“This is a job that is under a bright and sustained public spotlight. That comes with the territory but it brings opportunities too.

“I am looking for someone to positively use that place in the public eye. To become one of the most influential public sector leaders in Scotland and champion the kind of partnerships that really improve outcomes for people.”