Scotland’s new chief constable “absolutely accepts” that the Highlands and islands are different from the rest of the country – raising hopes there will be no repeat of the row over patrols of armed officers.
Phil Gormley, the former deputy director of the National Crime Agency who was sworn in as Sir Stephen House’s successor last month, has already visited staff in Inverness, Dingwall and Stornoway.
Police Scotland faced heavy criticism over the routine arming of officers in the Highlands following the controversial amalgamation of regional forces in 2013.
But Chief Superintendent Julian Innes, the area commander for the Highlands and islands, said he had been impressed with Mr Gormley’s attitude since his appointment.
“I’ve met the chief three times now since he started. He’s spoken to myself and the other commanders in Scotland and outlined his vision for policing in Scotland,” he said.
“As an individual I’ve been particularly impressed with him. He came to visit us last week. Last Thursday he visited Dingwall, Inverness and Stornoway. He met with staff groups during his visit there, and the feedback I’ve got is that they were really impressed with him.
“I think he was really interested to find out how policing in the Highlands and islands may be different from other parts of Scotland.
“He’s in absolute acceptance that one part of Scotland isn’t the same as the next, and he’s going to do his best to try and learn that, so that’s why he benefitted from visiting Inverness, Dingwall and Stornoway – so he could see the difference within this one division. So he completely accepts that.”
Mr Innes added: “I think it’s too early to ask a new chief who has just come into Scotland to fully understand the issues.
“But what I would be confident of is that when an issue arises he will have a good understanding of how the solution might look different across Scotland, and that will be welcomed across the Highlands and islands I’m sure.”