One of Scotland�s most high-profile and outspoken police figures has resigned. Paddy Tomkins, Her Majesty�s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, announced yesterday that he plans to stand down in April next year after 30 years� service.
One of Scotland's most high-profile and outspoken police figures has resigned.
Paddy Tomkins, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, announced yesterday that he plans to stand down in April next year after 30 years' service.
Mr Tomkins, who has been a leading proponent of radical changes to Scottish policing, was formerly Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police.
He has been at the inspectorate for just two years but has courted controversy with ideas for reform, including the creation of a single Scottish police service.
In his annual report 12 months ago, he called for a Scotland-wide "supra-force" dealing with counter- terrorism, firearms support and motorway patrols and became embroiled in the row about the remit of the recently formed Scottish Police Services Authority. He is currently undertaking a review of Scottish Policing commissioned by the Scottish Government. While in the prestigious £173,000-a-year role, he has also significantly modernised the inspectorate process.
Mr Tomkins said yesterday: "I have advised the Justice Secretary of my intention to step down from the post of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland. This will take effect from Monday April 13, 2009, which marks just over two years' service in the post.
"I have made this decision after careful consideration and discussions with family, friends and colleagues. It is a personal decision and based on a desire to seek fresh challenges.
"My time as chief inspector has been enjoyable and rewarding and I offer my thanks and good wishes to the staff in the inspectorate and those in the wider police service and government that I have worked with."
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Tomkins for the considerable achievements which he has delivered since taking up the appointment in April 2007. He has re- energised the inspection regime and brought a fresh perspective to scrutiny of the Scottish police service.
"The move towards thematic inspections has proved to be both practical and beneficial for the service as a whole and for individual forces and I am grateful for the way in which Mr Tomkins has worked closely across the service to make the new regime such a success.
"As my chief professional adviser on policing matters, I have greatly appreciated his sound, practical advice and willingness to offer solutions to complex problems.
"Mr Tomkin's detailed knowledge of policing, both as a former front-line officer and chief constable, has proved extremely valuable to me and my officials and we will miss his helpful insights and thoughtful contributions."
Mr Tomkins initially joined Sussex Police in 1979 and in 1993 transferred to the Metropolitan Police Service as a Chief Superintendent. In 1999 he was seconded to HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (England and Wales) as a Deputy Assistant Commissioner. He was awarded the Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Police Service in 2006. He lives in the Borders, is married and has two young children.
