New Local Policing Commander for Argyll & Bute and West Dunbartonshire

We would like to welcome our new Local Policing Commander for Argyll & Bute and West Dunbartonshire, Chief Superintendent Gary I’Anson, who has a wealth of experience in local, operational, and strategic policing.

As a Superintendent for the last five years, he has headed up Armed Policing and was the tactical firearms commander for Operation Unicorn following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth 2. He has delivered strategic partnership initiatives in Greater Glasgow and commanded large-scale events, including high-profile football matches.

Gary’s career as a police officer began in the Gorbals where he was a beat officer. He moved on to be a community officer in the multicultural area of Pollokshields and has worked in East Kilbride and Glasgow City Centre. He was the Area Commander at Ayr, and he has worked in Professional Standards, Custody Division and Contact, Command and Control Division.

Chief Superintendent Gary I’Anson said: “For me personally, this is an incredible opportunity, and I am extremely proud to accept the position of local policing commander.

“I look forward to supporting the incredible work our officers, staff and volunteers do on a daily basis. Having already met several of them, they are clearly committed to delivering the best service possible and I hope to build on that ongoing work.

“I hope to strengthen public trust and confidence, find new and innovative approaches to solving problems to ensure we are providing high excellent policing services to everyone, particularly to our remote and rural communities.

“Above all, I want to get to know our communities better and I want us to deliver on the priorities that matter to you. There will be challenges ahead, of that I am sure, but together we can achieve a better, more positive outcome.