Strathclyde Police chief constable Stephen House has ended weeks of speculation and confirmed he has applied to become the new Metropolitan Police Commissioner.
Mr House revealed he was in the running for the £260,000-a-year post in an email yesterday to his officers and support staff.
The chief constable, who is a favourite to secure the job, said he was proud of the “outstanding force” and wanted staff to hear the news directly from him.
The email read: “I have always said that I would rather you find out news directly from me, rather than read about it in the papers, see it commented upon on websites, or watch it on television. That is why I am taking this unusual step of sending you this message today.
“Throughout my time here I have always said that I expected to retire from Strathclyde.
“The circumstances of the vacancy arising at the Met were very unexpected and very unfortunate. It is only because of these extraordinary circumstances that I have changed my position and submitted an application for the role.
“Regardless of the outcome of my application, I would like to assure you that I remain proud of the work that we do here in Strathclyde in keeping people safe.
“This is an outstanding force, made up of officers and staff who are dedicated to the people they serve. Our results speak for themselves. I have no doubt that we will continue to deliver a first class service in the future.”
The vacancy at the Met is the result of the resignation of Sir Paul Stephenson, who quit amid revelations about the force’s links with News International in July.
Mr House was asked to apply for the role by senior officials after Home Secretary Theresa May and London Mayor Boris Johnson approved him for the job.
Stephen Curran, convener of the Strathclyde Police Authority, said it was positive the officer’s work with Strathclyde was being recognised. Mr Curran said: “Stephen House has done a very good job as the chief constable of Strathclyde Police over the last few years.
“He’s targeted violent crime, domestic violence and community based policing and has had some excellent results.
“We’re very pleased with the work he has done and it’s positive that other people have recognised that.
“There are only a few jobs in the police big enough to result in this position with the Met, but Strathclyde is the biggest force in Scotland and one of the biggest forces in the UK.”
The Glasgow city councillor said the recognition Strathclyde Police received from Prime Minister David Cameron regarding gang culture was an excellent example of how people viewed Mr House’s work with the force.
He added: “It’s very helpful that Mr House has emailed all the police officers and support staff to let them know and it means that they’re now aware of what’s happening.
“They now know why he’s doing it and it has reassured them about the work they are doing.”
Asked what it would mean for the force if Mr House left, Mr Curran replied: “We can cross that bridge when it comes.”
He added that police chiefs and forces throughout Scotland could all be facing uncertain times ahead if plans to merge all forces into one get the green light.
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