Tough task ahead for Deacon

Professor Susan Deacon, who replaces Andrew Flanagan as the chair of the Scottish Police Authority tomorrow, faces a challenge in restoring the credibility of those who are supposed to guard the guardians.

Two years ago, with the departure of Chief Constable Stephen House, it was hoped the SPA would usher in a period of stability. It has now been accepted appointing Phil Gormley was a mistake.

But the SPA have surpassed themselves in the last week in incompetence.

They stand accused of being highly inconsistent in granting extended leave for the chief constable, who faces five separate gross misconduct complaints by named individuals, while historic anonymous complaints are resurrected and have led to the suspension of an assistant chief constable.

PIRC will say suspension was necessary but that’s rubbish. After all, why isn’t the chief constable suspended?

Following the death of Sheku Bayoh in police custody in May 2015, the head of PIRC Kate Frame was asked by his family to suspend, without prejudice, the nine officers involved in his detention but she refused because there was “no proof of criminality”.

Maybe the Bayohs should write an anonymous complaint against the officers and see what happens.

By removing ACC Bernie Higgins, it looks like the first but not last throw of a dice for those who no longer have a career in policing and have a motivation to tear down the “walls of the temple”.

I hope Deacon takes robust control as, at the moment, the question will not be who is the next target, but whether there will be anyone left to lead Police Scotland?