Police Constables

Northern Constabulary is one of eight Police Forces which make up the Scottish Police Service. While the Scottish Forces operate within the same framework of law and co-operate extensively, each Force is a separate agency under the control of the Chief Constable and with a particular territorial responsibility.

Northern Constabulary serves a population of approximately 300,000 and consists of approximately 1,100 staff made up of approximately 725 Police Officers and 440 Police Staff. In addition there are around 300 Special Constables.

Northern Constabulary covers 10,000 square miles of the Northern Highlands from the Western Isles and Islands of Orkney and Shetland in the north to Glencoe and Newtonmore in the south.

The Force comprises 8 geographically diverse Command Areas each under the control of an Area Commander. Area Commanders have direct responsibility for all personnel in their area and exercise day-to-day operational control through their management team. Police Stations are situated at various locations within each Area Command.

Inverness is the principal urban centre and with a population of approximately 76,000 it provides a major focus for the Force. Northern Constabulary Headquarters are situated here and provide the strategic management and development of the Force. In addition there are urban centres at Dingwall, Wick and Thurso in the north, Portree on the Isle of Skye, Stornoway in the Western Isles, Kirkwall in Orkney, Lerwick in Shetland, Fort William in the south west, Nairn 14 miles east of Inverness, and Aviemore in the south.

Northern Constabulary's operational style is firmly based on community policing and is responsive to the needs of each community served.

To download our Organisational Chart, please click here.