Edinburgh sergeant wins police officer of the year award

Sergeant Neil Wilson, of E Division (Edinburgh), secured the first forfeiture order in Scotland for ingredients which make up the controversial substances.

Edinburgh has been at the forefront of tackling legal highs – also known as new psychoactive substances (NPS) – and has the power to seize them from shops.

Sgt Wilson also helped bring about the granting of a temporary drugs class order for one substance, methylphenidate.

He said: “The good work that’s recognised goes on day in, day out, in divisions across the country.”

Scotland’s new chief constable, Phil Gormley, said he had been left “proud and inspired” after taking part in the inaugural Scottish Policing Excellence Awards yesterday.

The ceremony took place at the Police Scotland College in Tulliallan, Clackmannanshire, and recognised achievements and innovation across 12 categories.

There was also joy for the performance support team in the Lothians and Borders, which picked up the service improvement award.

And Edinburgh’s Meet the Police project was recognised for its work with the children of prisoners at Saughton.

Speaking after the event, Chief Constable Gormley, who has been in the top job for three weeks, said: “It’s been a really good afternoon, with the opportunity to celebrate the breadth, the depth and the quality of service that Police Scotland is delivering to the communities in Scotland. It’s been really quite inspiring.

“I think it’s really important we do celebrate good work.

“There have been a lot of issues that have been in the public domain around Police Scotland but this is what matters – these people doing fantastic jobs in communities, changing lives, changing people’s lives for the better. That’s what good policing is about.”