The most senior police officer in the north-east is to retire this summer after a career spanning 30 years.
Lossiemouth-born Chief Superintendent Campbell Thomson had been working as a trawler skipper before joining the force in 1990, initially stationed in Peterhead.
He has held the position of divisional commander – covering Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray – since 2015.
During his service, Ch Supt Thomson was responsible for heading up the investigation into the Super Puma helicopter crash off Peterhead in 2009, in which all 16 crew members and passengers died.
Aberdeen City Council co-leader Jenny Laing has worked with Ch Supt Thomson for a number of years, including on the community planning board she chairs.
At its most recent meeting, she paid tribute to his hard work – particularly during the Super Puma crash investigation.
Mrs Laing said: “His professionalism, and that of his team who he selected to work under him during that harrowing and complex investigation, was commented upon frequently and formally.
“It was through that investigation that his compassion went above and beyond what was expected and indeed required of him.
“He ensured he visited every grieving family, providing updates on the investigation and reassurance and confidence that everything was being done to establish the circumstances which had led to the tragic event.”
Mrs Laing added: “I wish him well in his retirement.
“He’s earned it and I don’t think he’ll be putting his feet up because he’s not that type of person.
“He will be sorely missed but we appreciate everything he’s done.”
City councillor Martin Greig, a former convener of the Grampian Police Board, said: “Aberdeen and the north-east has been immensely fortunate to have benefited from the many years of dedicated and loyal service from Campbell Thomson.
“His leadership of our local police division has made a genuine difference for the good and wellbeing of everyone in our area.
“We are collectively indebted to him for his very high commitment to the interests of all.
“He will be a hard act to follow. We will need someone with that high level of devotion to the local interests of Aberdeen and the north-east.”
