A senior police officer who led the investigation into the Super Puma helicopter tragedy in 2009 is expected to take the reigns of a new division that will span the entire north-east region.
Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson, currently the commander of the Aberdeenshire and Moray division, was recommended for the role by Police Scotland’s former chief constable Sir Stephen House, who stepped down at last month.
However last night, the force said it was unable to confirm who would head up the new North East of Scotland division, which is due to be launched next month.
The north-east is currently split into Aberdeen City, and Aberdeenshire and Moray divisions.
However, the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) approved a merger between the two in October.
A report which will go to a meeting of Aberdeen City Council on Wednesday contains a letter from Sir Stephen, in which he nominates Mr Thomson for the role.
In the letter, to the authority’s chief executive, Angela Scott, he said: “Chief Superintendent Thomson is a highly experienced and competent officer and I know the positive working relationship Aberdeen City Council previously enjoyed with Chief Superintendent Watson will continue in the capable hands of Chief Superintendent Thomson.”
The full report confirms the new division will “go live” on January 1.
It also states that Aberdeen City’s current commander, Chief Superintendent Adrian Watson, is expected to retire ahead of the merger.
The plan has been met with criticism from the city council, which called for a judicial review into the decision last month.
Mr Thomson – who is originally from Lossiemouth – was a fisherman before joining the police in 1990.
He was promoted to CID in 1995, working in Peterhead and Fraserburgh, where he dealt with investigations into crimes such as house-breaking, drugs offences, robberies and violence.
In April 2013, he was put in charge of Scotland’s first national murder squad following the formation of the single force.
In January 2014, he was made one of six assistant chief constables, before his appointment to the divisional commander role in July of this year.