Police Scotland promote two senior officers after suspension

Two chief superintendents have temporarily replaced Police Scotland's assistant chief constable after he was suspended.

Gillian MacDonald and Alan Speirs will become temporary assisstant chief constables followong Bernard Higgins’ suspension on Friday, along with three officers.

Reports suggest that ACC Higgins is under investigation for gross and criminal misconduct.

Police Scotland’s deputy chief constable, Iain Livingstone, made the announcement at the Scottish Police Authority’s monthly public meeting.

DCC Livingstone said: “Leadership exists across all aspects of policing, from my role as the deputy chief constable all the way through the organisation to the police constables serving their local communities.

“I have absolute confidence in the leadership provided by the officers and staff that serve in Police Scotland, and the qualities, skills and experience that we collectively possess.”

He added: “Policing happens every minute of every day and my focus continues to be on meeting the operational and organisational challenges we face, and providing the leadership of policing that the people of Scotland rightly expect.”