The Police Scotland soap opera continues, with the Chief Constable having stepped aside following a second allegation of bullying. This was understandable as continuing with one investigation ongoing was manageable, whereas two makes the perception, if not the reality, unacceptable. Justice has to be seen to be done as well as be done, especially when an employer is a law enforcement agency.

Nothing has been proven and Phil Gormley is an honourable man with an excellent service career. Despite the embarrassment for him personally and the problems caused for the organisation, the investigation just has to take its course. As others have noted, it’s also a sign of robustness that no one, even the Chief Constable, is beyond reproach. Issues such as this happened previously in the regional constabularies but the inception of a single force has magnified the gaze; that scrutiny continues despite increased stakes is to its credit.

As with all such melodramas, the viewing public can rest assured that, for the rest of the cast, the show goes on. Rank-and-file officers will be watching with a mixture of incredulity about and contempt for their masters.

In the interim, despite the challenges from within and without, they’ll just get on and do their duty.

However, there are complaints of bullying outstanding against others in the senior ranks of the service and the Chairman of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) has both apologised for actions against another board member and subsequently resigned his post. It does appear that there’s a culture of bullying within the present regime and that has to be addressed.

Policing is a command-and-control organisation. Ask for something to be done and done it will be. Officers may not privately agree with the request but, if it is lawful, they will uphold it to the best of their abilities.

This rests as much on respect as hierarchy. Policing is a service not a force, though officers are authorised to use it and, on occasion, are required to do so. Respect needs to be earned, not simply imposed. Orders will be followed but should be given with some dignity with regard to the recipient.

Problems seem to have arisen with the appointment of Andrew Flanagan, the recently departed chairman of the SPA. His solution to the perceived travails of Police Scotland was a management revolution, in which it seemed presupposed that the police were incapable of doing the task. Business techniques were invoked and business leaders brought in.

That was compounded by the removal of Sir Stephen House, the former chief constable. Whilst their finger prints may not be upon him, it’s clear that there was a will to have him go at the very top of government.

Perhaps it was assumed that removing him would bring an end to negative headlines. There may have been some basis in that as criticism was highly personalised. Sir Stephen’s actions on armed officers, which now appear prescient, saw opposition politicians who shelter behind them berate him mercilessly. However, as with the best-laid plans, matters have gone awry with his successor’s difficulties.

In many ways, Mr Gormley was the accidental Chief Constable. Few, including Mr Gormley himself, anticipated his appointment. However, it appeared that, for the new regime at the SPA, it was as simple as your ABCs – Anyone But a Chief from Scotland. The media frenzy about mistakes and tragedies resulted in a recruit being sought from outside.

Accordingly, heir apparent Iain Livingstone and, ironically, the present acting chief in Mr Gormley’s absence, was passed over. It’s suggested that the Government favoured his appointment but it most certainly didn’t seek it as hard as it sought his former boss’s removal. Hence, a new regime was in charge at both the SPA and Police Scotland, bringing a cultural change with a very limited knowledge of the organisation. That has mainly brought about the present difficulties.

But these can be addressed. A new chairman or woman who appreciates that it’s a service not a business is needed, and promptly. The first chairman, Vic Emery, had an outstanding career in the private sector but recognised that policing was a different entity and needed treated as such. The new incumbent must have a similar outlook.

Thereafter, stability will be required. Despite the challenges, the police remain an excellent public service. With Mr Livingstone withdrawing his previously announced retirement, which had no doubt been brought about by those events, there’s an opportunity. He’s hugely popular and highly regarded.

Even if Mr Gormley is exonerated, it’s hard to see him extending his contract beyond the present three-year term. Steps for appointing his successor will require to start soon.

There will have to be an appointment process but it’s hard to identify a better candidate than Mr Livingstone. In the interim the show goes on and the rank and file just do their job.