Lothian and Borders Police duo secure Scottish force jobs

TWO of the most senior officers from Lothian and Borders Police have been appointed as deputy chief constables in the new single Scottish force.

Deputy Chief Constable Steve Allen, who has been in his role for nearly two years, was given one of the four deputy jobs with the single force.

Assistant Chief Constable Iain Livingstone, a former head of CID who led the investigation into the Marmion pub shootings, also took one of the coveted roles.

Ties between Lothian and Borders and the unified service were further strengthened as Neil Richardson, a former assistant chief constable with the force who left to join Strathclyde, was appointed the chief’s designated deputy.

The single force will be led by Chief Constable Stephen House, with Rose Fitzpatrick, who serves with the Metropolitan Police in London, the fourth deputy.

Mr House described the appointment of the four deputy chiefs - who will each earn £169,000-a-year, more than current Lothian and Borders Chief Constable David Strang - as a “major milestone in the journey” towards a single force. “These officers will be responsible for leading policing and delivering for the public across all communities, ensuring the public are protected from harm and that Police Scotland keeps people safe,” he said. “The deputy chief constables are absolutely at the forefront of leading the service now through transition and beyond day one.”

DCC Allen has been given responsibility for the Commonwealth Games and major events, including the Ryder Cup. ACC Livingstone takes on responsibility for crime and operational support, taking the lead on crime reduction and detection across the country.

ACC Livingstone is the former head of CID in the Lothians who spearheaded a number of high-profile murder probes, including The Marmion pub fatal shooting in 2006 which saw Jamie Bain jailed. Each of the four new deputy chiefs will be based in the interim headquarters for Police Scotland at Tulliallan Castle outside Kincardine.

Vic Emery, chair of the Scottish Police Authority, said: “They bring a wealth of experience of delivering local policing, with an understanding that modern policing must also be capable of responding to and anticipating national and international threats.”

Steve Allen

STEVE Allen joined Lothian and Borders from the Metropolitan Police in January 2010.

Joining Avon and Somerset Constabulary in 1985, he moved to the Met in 2003 and was later given the task of setting up the Violent Crime Directorate. Between April 2007 and January 2009 he was the commander of the City of Westminster.

Iain Livingstone

IAIN Livingstone joined Lothian and Borders Police in 1992, having previously worked as a solicitor.

ACC Livingstone has led numerous serious crime investigations, including Operation Algebra, the online child abuse probe undertaken by the force.