Excellence in Community Policing

Policing the Communities of the Highlands and Islands




About Northern Constabulary

We believe in excellence in community policing. That means we work in a way that’s of real benefit to more than 300,000 people, their lifestyles, and their communities right across the 10,000 square miles that we’re responsible for. It also means that our Police Constables spend a lot of time engaging with the public and getting to know their communities. What’s more, every location is different and has different needs, making a career as a Police Constable with Northern Constabulary every bit as wide-ranging as it is rewarding. In fact, it’s a career for life.

Our headquarters are in Inverness, which is our principal urban centre with a population of approximately 76,000. From here, we provide the strategic management and development of the Force. There are also 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 east of Inverness; and Aviemore in the south. Across these locations we have over 1,350 people, including around 800 police officers, 400 police staff, and 200 special constables. Whatever crucial role they are playing, and wherever they are working, we value the people who make up our Force. They come from all backgrounds with all kinds of experience and perspectives. And we champion those differences, because they make us stronger and more efficient as an organisation.