New commander for Highland and Islands Division takes oath

The new Highland and Islands divisional commander will take up post having been sworn in as a Police Scotland officer.

Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone welcomed and thanked Chief Superintendent Rob Shepherd during a ceremony at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan, on Monday, 16 January 2023, overseen by Justice of the Peace Gillian Thomson.

Chief Supt Shepherd joins the single national service having transferred from the Metropolitan Police.

Sir Iain said: “Rob will lead Highland and Islands Division, supported by national capabilities, to serve the communities of this vital and unique area of Scotland. Rob brings significant experience and additional perspective to the role and I am grateful to him for stepping-forward to join Police Scotland.”

Chief Supt Shepherd spent 20 years with the Met Police across a range of response, support and counter terrorism roles. He was seconded to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Beirut for two years before returning to lead a local policing team during some of the service’s most challenging incidents in recent years.

Chief Supt Shepherd’s connection to the north of Scotland goes back over 40 years to when he lived and attended school in Kinloss.

Chief Supt Shepherd said: “The Highland and Islands Division serves a beautiful place to work and live and I am enthusiastic to continue my policing career in the area with Police Scotland.

“I am excited to join such a committed and professional team and look forward to leading and supporting officers and staff to provide effective policing for our communities.”

Previous Divisional Commander, Chief Supt Conrad Trickett, is moving to a national role, helping to shape Police Scotland’s improvements in our technology and systems.

Pictured L to R – Chief Supt Rob Shepherd, Justice of the Peace Gillian Thomson and Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone.