New boss is now focusing on the local area commanders
Chief Superintendent Waddell is now working with the county’s four area commanders to find out about their local initiatives – including Chief Inspector Jim Gillespie, whose command area covers Hamilton, Blantyre, Larkhall and Clydesdale.
The divisional commander said: “Ensuring Hamilton continues to be a safe place to live and work for residents and visitors is top of the agenda.
“Working with local partners, Jim has seen some real success in tackling disorder in the town centre. Proactively targeting the most serious offenders, while working to divert those on the periphery, has led to a dramatic reduction in incidents.
“We’re grateful to our partners for providing diversionary activities and to the community for reporting incidents to allow us to pursue the small minority intent on causing trouble.
“We’ve introduced a new operating model, all about getting the right number of officers available at the right times; there’s been great feedback from communities on this, with local problem-solving team officers providing visibility and continuity in their areas.”
Chief Superintendent Waddell added of his return to an operational role: “It’s been really refreshing; I had a fantastic time doing the corporate jobs because you learn a whole lot, but you can never forget that the operational bit is what the job is all about, looking after local communities and trying to deliver for them.
“There’s a meeting every morning with my command team to discuss incidents of note, and you remember the impact that can have on the people involved.
“It’s brilliant to be hearing about things taking place across the division, and it’s a reminder of the great work that police officers do.
“There’s something brilliant about being responsible for the policing of the local area because it’s incumbent on me to deliver the very best service we can for the people of Lanarkshire and to make a difference; and I’m looking forward most to being part of the community of Lanarkshire, working with officers, management teams, staff and key partners to try and do the very best.”