A north MSP has said Sir Stephen House’s decision to step down this year is the “one call” the departing chief constable has got right.
Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie’s comments came last night after Sir Stephen’s announcement at a Scottish Police Authority meeting that he would bring forward his resignation, which was originally planned for 2016.
Mr Finnie – justice spokesman for the Scottish Green Party, and a former policeman – said: “It was clear from start of Police Scotland that Sir Stephen House had the necessary drive and authority to transform the various elements of policing across Scotland into a single public service.
“Sadly, despite assurances that best practice from all the former constituent forces would be adopted, it very swiftly became the case that it was the House way or no way in Police Scotland.”
Sir Stephen has faced increasing pressure in recent months following a series of high-profile controversies.
Independent investigators were called in when couple Lamara Bell, 25, and John Yuill, 28, died after spending three days in their crashed car following a crash on the M9 when a call to police was not properly logged.
Officers are also being investigated by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner over the death of 31-year-old Sheku Bayoh, who died in police custody in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in May.
Sir Stephen also faced criticism over the controversial decision to put armed police officers on the streets in the Highlands last year and the closure of control rooms across the country since the single force was launched in 2013.
Speaking yesterday, Sir Stephen thanked his fellow officers for their support during his time as chief constable, but said the “time was right to take up new challenges” after 35 years with the police.