News

21 August 2009
NEW GENERAL SECRETARY APPOINTED TO ACPOS

CAROLINE Scott has been appointed as the new General Secretary of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland with the rank of Assistant Chief Constable.

Mrs Scott joined Strathclyde Police in 1979, beginning her career in Glasgow city centre, serving as a beat constable for twelve years. Promotion to patrol sergeant in Paisley was followed by a further promotion to patrol inspector two years later when she transferred to East Kilbride in 1995.

In 1996 Mrs Scott was appointed as the deputy head of the force's six year anti-crime initiative called ‘Spotlight’, and she 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. After a brief spell as deputy head of the force’s Community Safety Department, Mrs Scott was appointed deputy divisional commander of South Lanarkshire and was made acting divisional commander of the division 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 is married with five children and lives in Strathaven, South Lanarkshire.

She 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.”