Deputy Chief Constable Neil Richardson is to step down from his role with Police Scotland when his contract expires later this year.
Chief Constable, Philip Gormley, who was informed of the decision today, is in discussion with the Scottish Police Authority and a selection process to identify DCC Richardson’s replacement will start shortly
The Chief Constable said: “Neil has served the communities of Scotland for over 30 years and has been a pivotal figure in the reform of policing and the creation of the single national Service. His contribution has been outstanding and that has been recognised with the award of the OBE and QPM.”
SPA Chairman, Andrew Flanagan said “Neil has been a leading figure in Scottish policing for many years and I wish him every success as his future develops beyond policing. He has been an outstanding public servant and leader.”
Commenting on his decision, DCC Richardson said “I am extremely proud of what we have achieved in Police Scotland and privileged to have been able to play a part in what has been an historic change to policing in this country.”
DCC Richardson joined Lothian and Borders Police in 1985. Between 1985 and 2006 he served in operational posts such as Community Safety, Firearms, Divisional Operations, and CID, including a secondment to the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA).
In 2006, he was promoted to Assistant Chief Constable for Territorial Policing.
In August 2008, he joined Strathclyde Police as Deputy Chief Constable with responsibility for matters including; professional standards, complaints and discipline, organisational development, health and safety, change management and overseeing Force programmes and projects.
In 2011, he was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal.
He took up the full-time position as Transformation Director of the National Police Reform Programme in November 2011, with responsibility for driving the reform of Scottish Policing through to Day One of the new service to its ultimate end state.
In November 2012, he was appointed to the post of Deputy Chief Constable (Designate) for Police Scotland.
In January 2014, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) following his work on reform.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
