A FORMER LOSSIEMOUTH fisherman looks set to assume control of the new joint Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray division of Police Scotland from January 1.
Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson, who is currently commander of the Aberdeenshire and Moray Division, was the choice of Scotland’s former chief constable Sir Stephen House.
While Sir Stephen stood down from his post last month, two days before his departure he wrote to Angela Scott, the Chief Executive of Aberdeen City Council, informing her of Chief Superintendent Thomson’s appointment.
While Police Scotland have made no comment on the appointment, the letter to the Council Chief Executive has been published in full ahead of the Aberdeen City Full Council meeting taking place on Wednesday.
In the letter Sir Stephen said: “I write to inform you my nomination for your Local Police Commander is Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson.
“Chief Superintendent Thomson is originally from Lossiemouth and prior to joining the police in 1990 was a fisherman, a heritage he is very proud of. He rose to the rank of Detective Chief Superintendent, head of CID for legacy Grampian Police.”
Chief Superintendent Thomson only landed the job as Commander of the Aberdeenshire and Moray Division in July this year.
If confirmed, his appointment to the top job in the new force will be supported by existing Superintendents in management roles for the Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray areas, who would all be retained to support Chief Superintendent Thomson.
The move has sparked speculation that the existing head of the Aberdeen City Division, Chief Superintendent Adrian Watson, is set to retire.
Last month Aberdeen Council officially opposed the merger of the two divisions and called for a rethink.
Sir Stephen’s letter asks if Aberdeen City Council support his nomination of Chief Superintendent Thomson and, if they do, to invite the new regional commander to attend a future council meeting.