£208,000-a-year Chief Constable post advertised for single police force

Applications are open for the £208,000-a-year Chief Constable to run Scotland’s single police force.

With an annual starting salary of £208,100, but no bonus, the role involves overseeing the UK’s second largest police force with more than 17,000 officers and 6500 support staff.

The chief constable, who will be appointed in October, will work with the new Scottish Police Authority to make sure there is a smooth transition to the new service which starts on April 1 next year.

Eight police forces in Scotland, the Scottish Police Services Authority and the Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency will be brought together into one force.

The recruitment process will be led by the chair of the new Scottish Police Authority, who is yet to be appointed, as well as other senior public figures.

The closing date for applications is August 16.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "This is a historic opportunity for the first Chief Constable to shape and lead the new Police Service of Scotland. They will work closely with the Chair of the new Scottish Police Authority, who will hold the Chief Constable and the new service to account.

"It’s a unique and exciting time to be part of the police service in Scotland - recorded crime is at a 37 year low and there are record numbers of police officers in communities. Policing in Scotland is already excellent – but the new service gives us a unique opportunity to do more and build on those strengths.

"The role will be one of the most demanding and high profile policing posts in the UK, leading engagement with the public, private and voluntary sectors across Scotland, the UK and internationally.

"The new Chief Constable will be a role model for the values of the police service, providing inspirational leadership, determining the future shape of policing as part of an ambitious programme of public service reform across Scotland."

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said many people would find the new chief constable's "eye-watering £208k salary difficult to stomach".

He added: "The SNP Government like to think it is against high public sector pay, but time and time again we see instances like this."

The Liberal Democrat said concerns were not just about the salary of the new role, adding: "Eight locally accountable, locally visible chief constables are being replaced by one. I don't understand how the SNP feel they can justify this reduction in service as value for money.

"We've complained that the centralisation of the police is a dangerous step that puts too much power in the hands of one person. Now there's too much money in the hands of one person."

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