Johnny Gwynne has been appointed by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) as Police Scotland’s Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) for Crime and Operational Support.
Johnny Gwynne has since 2013 been on secondment from Police Scotland to the National Crime Agency (NCA) where he is currently Director of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command.
Mr Gwynne will lead on crime reduction and detection across Scotland as well as the provision of specialist operational services – Major Crime and Public Protection, Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism, and Operational Support.
Mr Gwynne will replace Ruaraidh Nicolson, who has filled the role on an interim basis and is retiring from the service later this year.
The appointment follows a robust interview and selection process conducted by the SPA. The Authority has responsibility for appointing the Police Scotland officers of ACC rank and above.
Announcing the appointment, Andrew Flanagan, Chair of the SPA said: “I am pleased to announce that Johnny Gwynne has been appointed following a rigorous interview and selection process to the role of DCC for Crime and Operational Support. I am confident that the personal skills and experience Johnny brings to the post, together with his years of previous service at a senior level in Scottish policing, will strengthen Police Scotland’s Command Team to continue to deliver an excellent service to our communities.
“This is a high-profile and significant post within UK policing and I am delighted that the post attracted a number of high-quality applicants from across the UK. That we were able attract a very strong field demonstrates a strong degree of confidence and professional commitment to the model of service we are building here in Scotland.”
Chief Constable Phil Gormley added: “I am delighted to welcome Johnny Gwynne back to Police Scotland as DCC for Crime and Operational Support. This key post will play a fundamental role in leading many of our most specialised officers and staff as we build a flexible and sustainable police service to adapt to emerging threats and changes in demand.
“Johnny’s has a combination of strategic leadership and practical policing skills that are well suited to the changing demands being placed on modern police services.
“He has already policed the diversity of Scotland’s communities with distinction in his career so far and, allied with the wider perspectives he has developed with the NCA, I am confident he will be a huge addition to the Police Scotland leadership team.”
Before joining the NCA, Johnny was a serving Chief Officer with Police Scotland and had previously been Deputy Director General of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency – one of the nine legacy organisations that merged to form the single service. He joined the NCA on secondment from Police Scotland in June 2013 and was Deputy Director of the Organised Crime Command before being appointed to the role of Director of the CEOP Command. Mr Gwynn began his policing career in Northern Ireland and also served in Strathclyde Police.
The Deputy Chief Constable of Police Scotland will receive a salary of £173,010.
The appointment panel was chaired by Andrew Flanagan, Chair of the SPA, and included two SPA Board members, and the Chief Constable and DCC Designate of Police Scotland.
A formal start date for Mr Gwynne will be confirmed in due course.
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.
