AN OFFICER who has been working across the wider area since 1999 has taken over as the divisional commander in the Forth Valley.

Chief Superintendent Barry Blair has replaced outgoing Chief Superintendent Alan Gibson, who has become the head of training operations at the Police Scotland Headquarters at Tulliallan.

CS Blair most recently worked as the head of criminal justice transformation, leading on Police Scotland's criminal justice response to the pandemic.

He originally joined Central Scotland Police in 1999 and has since held a number of positions within local policing, CID and public protection.

TOP COP: CS Barry Blair has taken over as the divisional commander in the Forth Valley. Image provided by Police Scotland

'TOP COP': CS Barry Blair has taken over as the divisional commander in the Forth Valley. Image provided by Police Scotland

CS Blair said after his first week in post: “It is a great privilege to have taken over as the divisional commander for Forth Valley.

“This is an area I know extremely well, having worked here previously, but also as a local resident of Falkirk.

“I want to thank my predecessor, CS Gibson, for his outstanding leadership and service to our communities over the past three years.

“I look forward to continuing on this work and building on the excellent partnership working evident across the division whilst ensuring we remain responsive, accessible and focused on the priorities of people and communities across Forth Valley.

“My thanks also go out to the officers and support staff who play a vital role each day in keeping the public who live, work and visit the division safe.

“I look forward to working with you all in due course.”

CS Blair worked across the area, including in roles as a community inspector, divisional response inspector and latterly as DCI public protection based out of the Forth Valley Hub, before moving on to positions outside the division.

These included local area commander at West Lothian.