An Aberdeenshire policeman is retiring after 30 years of devoted service to the force in the region.
PC Doug McMann, who has spent the last nine years working as a police officer in Inverurie, will soon be saying “Goodbye, Goodbye, Goodbye” to his colleagues.
His retirement has sparked the idea for the creation of a new position within the force to carry on the work which PC McMann has done.
Local Policing Inspector, Jon Millar, explained: “We have set up a new role to support local policing objectives and also to provide additional support internally to new probationers who join the team.
“Setting up the new role has been sparked by the retiral of one of our most well-known officers here in Inverurie.
“PC Doug McMann has been an officer for 30 years with the last nine years at Inverurie. He is known to many of the community groups, local kids and has frequently been seen in and around Inverurie town centre, providing reassurance and preventative high visibility policing.
“With his imminent retiral, it was a good opportunity to assess the great work that Doug has done and develop a role which will ensure that the positive engagement which Doug has carried out continues.”
Mr McMann said: “I’ve really enjoyed my 30 years as a police officer. I’ve had many highlights, but I am especially proud of when I was put in charge of Lumsden Police Office and policing the surrounding area very early in my career.
“It’s certainly a job and career I would recommend to others. I am now looking forward to spending lots of time with my family, especially my two grandchildren.”
As a result of his departure, a new role has been created in the Garioch Policing Team.
Inspector Millar added: “I am delighted to advise that PC Steve Middleton will be taking on the role. Steve is already part of the Garioch Policing Team where he has worked for 10 years.
“In his new role, Steve will be working proactively to address local concerns such as antisocial behaviour, reducing acquisitive crime – particularly car crime – and road safety under Operation Cedar with an emphasis on reducing speeding on local roads.
“In addition to this, he will lead on tutoring new staff as they find their feet in community policing throughout Garioch.
“We will be welcoming a new probationer officer into the Garioch team this month.
“Steve will ensure that they have a smooth transition into life on the beat and help mentor them as they put the skills and knowledge they have learned at the Scottish Police College into practice.
“The role will enable Steve to focus on sharing his skills with new staff whilst tacking local problems that affect our communities and I’m confident that he will rise to the challenge.
“The work that he and the officers in the community policing team undertake will make a difference to the whole Garioch area.”
As he looks ahead to the future, Doug McMann has left a rich legacy in his wake.