New deputy chief constables appointed

Two new deputy chief constables have been appointed to Police Scotland’s leadership team.

The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) said Will Kerr and Fiona Taylor have been appointed following a rigorous process of assessment, interview and selection conducted by the SPA.

Will Kerr, a police officer for more than 28 years, is currently director of vulnerabilities at the National Crime Agency (NCA) with strategic responsibility for leading and coordinating law enforcement response to child sexual exploitation and abuse, modern slavery and human trafficking and organised immigration crime. While serving as director at the NCA, he has been on secondment from his role as assistant chief constable with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Fiona Taylor has more than 24 years experience serving as a senior officer with Lothian and Borders Police, Strathclyde Police and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

Susan Deacon, SPA chairwoman, said: “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Will Kerr and Fiona Taylor to what I believe are among the most important policing and public service leadership roles in the UK.

“These appointments follow a rigorous and open process which attracted a strong field of candidates.

“I am confident that we have identified two individuals who will bring valuable skills and experience to the leadership team of Police Scotland and will make a significant contribution to the development of policing in Scotland in the years ahead.”