HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary reappointed

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice has today announced that Derek Penman QPM has been reappointed as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland for an additional three years following approval from Her Majesty The Queen.

Mr Penman is responsible for planning and leading an annual programme of inspection, monitoring and evaluation of the performance of Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority. He is also a source of professional independent advice on police matters.

Speaking of the reappointment, Mr Matheson says:

“HMICS plays a key role in ensuring Scotland’s police continue to perform their duties to a high standard. Mr Penman has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Inspectorate since his appointment in January 2014 and his work has been invaluable to the police service and the people of Scotland.  I am delighted that Her Majesty The Queen has approved Mr Penman’s reappointment for another three years.”

Background

HM Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland is the senior professional police adviser to Scottish Ministers. The statutory duties of HM Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland are set out in Section 74 of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012.

Before his appointment in 2014, Mr Penman was an Assistant Chief Constable for Police Scotland with responsibility for local policing in the north of Scotland, and prior to that he was acting Chief Constable for Central Scotland Police.

Mr Penman had almost 30 years’ experience from within the police service, joining Central Scotland Police in 1984. A University of Glasgow law graduate, he has held a variety of posts within Central Scotland Police, including secondments to both the Scottish Police College and HM Inspectorate of Constabulary. In December 2007, he was appointed Temporary Assistant Chief Constable, with responsibility for all aspects of operational policing and performance. In June 2008 he was appointed Assistant Chief Constable, Crime and Specialist Operations, with Grampian Police. In January 2011, he returned to Central Scotland Police as Deputy Chief Constable and in November was appointed Acting Chief Constable. He was appointed as Assistant Chief Constable within Police Scotland in April 2013.

The reappointment followed the normal process and was approved by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, the First Minister and Her Majesty The Queen.

The reappointment will run until January 2020.