THIS summer's appointment of Kate Frame as the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner represents a promising development in Scotland's justice system.
I have long argued that the post requires to be held by a suitably qualified and regulated lawyer, given the legal complexity of the issues that the commissioner is required to handle.
Ms Frame certainly satisfies that criteria. As a former senior lawyer in the Crown Office and procurator Fiscal Service responsible for investigating allegations against the police, Ms Frame has the professional pedigree to develop this important role. Marking a positive development, she does not appear to belong to any police body she has been appointed to regulate.
Ms Frame's tenure is in its infancy, but if she maintains a truly independent stance from those she is empowered to regulate her appointment may herald a promising development in a hitherto-beleaguered system of police regulation.
Allan C Steele,
22 Forres Avenue, Giffnock.
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