Cops says they did consult on new chief
Police Scotland refutes claims it broke the law
A new top cop has been appointed for the Forth Valley area.
Chief Superintendent Alan Gibson succeeds Thom McLoughlin who is moving on to a new position within Police Scotland.
Chief Superintendent McLoughlin served as divisional commander for more than two years.
Incoming divisional commander, CS Gibson said: “As a resident of the division, it’s a privilege to lead the officers and staff who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe all day, every day.”
CS McLoughlin is moving on to a new role in which he will help with preparations for CoP 26, the United Nations climate change summit due to take place in Glasgow next year
In October, he came in for criticism after remarking at a Stirling Coucil public safety committee meeting that community councils were not reflective of their communities and saying officers felt social media was a better way of engaging with residents.One councillor described the comment as unhelpful.
CS McLoughlin said in a statement, following his new appointment, that during his tenure “the success in driving up the wellbeing of the whole area across Forth Valley is in no small way due to the first class working collaboration the division has had with the many partners in the region”.
However, as the Observer revealed on Friday, that the “collaboration” looked to be under strain after Police Scotland were criticised by Stirling councillors over Mr Gibson appointment, with one suggesting Police Scotland may even have broken the law.
At a full meeting of Stirling Council last Thursday, councillors and officials were unhappy that they appeared not to have been consulted before CS Gibson’s appointment was made.
Police Scotland is obliged in terms of section 44 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 to consult the local authority before designating an officer to carry out the local police commander role.
Councillor Martin Earl said Police Scotland had “not abided by the law” in how the process had been handled.
He added: “These are important appointments and if we are required to be asked we should be required to have relevant information to allow us to give that approval.”
The councillor added: “I’m not suggesting we wouldn’t give approval but I don’t like doing this on the nod. I’m not particularly happy with the way this has come forward.”
Police Scotland Assistant
Chief Constable Kenny MacDonald said: “As is standard procedure when the local police commander in our divisions change, I wrote to the chief executives of each of the three local authorities which make up Forth Valley Division on November 19, advising them that CS McLoughlin was moving on to a new post within Police Scotland.
“In that letter I provided them with biographical information on his replacement, CS Alan Gibson, and sought their views on the change.”
However, Stirling Council chief executive said: “The way the letter was written was that this was a fait accompli.”