THE retired deputy chief constable of Police Scotland who became embroiled in a row over spying has become the new chief executive of a Scottish social care charity.
Neil Richardson, whose time at the single force has been marked by controversy, will from January take on the £90,000-a-year job at Turning Point Scotland, which provides support to people with complex needs such as disability, homelessness and addiction in January.
Mr Richardson, took retirement from the force in May with over 30 years’ experience in policing and completed lengthy stints at the legacy Strathclyde and Lothian and Borders force and less than three years as Scotland's second highest ranking police officer.
The 49-year-old received a £492,500 pay package in his final full year with the force, some 20 times that of an average police constable in Scotland. It made him the third highest earner in UK policing in 2014/15. His pay package comprised of a £170,000 to £175,000 salary – at least a £40,000 pay rise from his previous post – as well as £320,000 in pension benefits. He also claimed £2,496 in expenses.
However, he had portfolio responsibility for issues that attracted political and media criticism, such as the troubled £40 million unified i6 IT system that was abandoned in July after it was plagued with problems.
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He was also the police chief in charge of the Counter Corruption Unit (CCU), which unlawfully used its spying powers in a bid to flush out journalists’ sources.
The scandal prompted parliamentary hearings and led to Mr Richardson giving oral evidence in front of MSPs.
Former DCC Neil Richardson defends record to MSPs in December, 2015. Source: Scottish Parliament
In September it emerged more than 100 allegations of wrong doing had been levelled against the counter-corruption unit including claims officers attempted to pervert the course of justice.
The Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary was asked to review 25 complaints lodged against the unit between April 2009 and June this year involving 108 accusations for criminal and non-criminal behaviour.
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Over that period there were criminal allegations against officers relating to the data protection act and perverting the course of justice. Many of these related to the "legacy"regional forces, prior to Police Scotland being set up.
MSPs started investigating the unit after it emerged that officers had broken spying rules while investigating a journalist’s sources for stories about the murder of Emma Caldwell in 2005.
Derek Penman, HM Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, criticised the unit as being “below standard” and made dozens of recommendations to bring it up to scratch and a judicial tribunal found it had acted “unlawfully”.
Mr Richardson's CCU link is believed to have been a factor in his failed bid to become chief constable of the force.
Sheila Fazal, the chairwoman of Turning Point Scotland said Mr Richardson was "the right person to take our charity forward while cherishing our core values and ethos.”
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The £90,000-a-year vacancy arose after Martin Cawley left the role after eight years to join Big Lottery Scotland.
Ms Fazal said the board had sought feedback from staff and previous service users to profile the attributes a new chief executive would need to replace Mr Cawley and move the organisation forward.
She said: “We were looking for someone who was passionate about Turning Point Scotland and its goals and development. Someone to complement the sector expertise and experience of the executive team and staff and who will work collaboratively to build on that experience.
"In addition, given the changing landscape ahead and the uncertain operating environment we are experiencing we also needed someone who has a track record of dealing with challenges and difficult issues.
“We are confident that someone is Neil Richardson.
“The board and the executive team are looking forward to working closely with Neil and will provide him with any necessary support.”
She added: "Neil will join us in January and will lead an organisation supporting over 21,000 people to improve their life, lifestyles and life expectations.
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“We were pleasantly surprised at the volume and quality of applications for the chief executive role and after an extensive, thorough and rigorous process there was an overwhelming consensus amongst our board that Neil was the right person..."
Mr Richardson will work with a staff of 1,200 people, currently working in 22 local authority areas.
Mr Richardson said: “I am joining one of Scotland’s most respected social care charities, an organisation that offers a better future for some of the most vulnerable in our society.
"My role will be to work with Turning Point Scotland’s dedicated team and learn the complexities of their work and together move this great charity forward while upholding its ethos and values.
“I am an experienced leader with over 30 years in the Scottish public sector. During this time I have worked directly with many organisations including those within the social care sector.
"I offer a proven track record of business success, organisational change and partnership working which I hope will add real value to the strategic aspirations of Turning Point Scotland. It is an honour for me to have the opportunity to play a part in such a worthwhile organisation.”
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