P O L I C E
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S T A F F
N E W S L E T T E R
COPPERPLATE www.tayside.police.uk
10
OCT
T A Y S I D E
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL TREATMENT CENTRE
NEW DEPUTY CHIEF CONSTABLE
A month-long campaign to raise awareness of the Police Treatment Centres gets under way on 1 October 2010 with a ‘special offer’ for new donors. Every year thousands of police officers suffer injuries or experience serious illnesses. The Police Treatment Centres charity provides intensive physiotherapy and other services for these officers, which enables many of them to return to work sooner than expected. This work is funded by police officers who make a small donation each month from their pay. There are currently 150 officers in Tayside who don’t donate to the Police Treatment Centres so aren’t eligible to access free treatment when they need it most. Throughout October, those officers who opt in and begin making donations will be able to apply for treatment straightaway – provided they have a medical need. Normally, officers are asked to donate for twelve months before seeking treatment free of charge and this rule will apply again when the awareness month ends on 31 October. Nicola Kerr from Tayside Police donates to the Police Treatment Centres and recently received treatment for a leg injury she sustained playing rugby. She said: “I had an operation some time after the accident and after that the pain got steadily worse so I was referred to Castlebrae for treatment.
Tayside Joint Police Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Gordon Scobbie as the new Deputy Chief Constable of Tayside Police. Gordon Scobbie, who was born and bred in Scotland, is currently the Assistant Chief Constable with West Midlands Police. Having transferred from Glasgow in October 2004 as a Superintendent, where he was lead for Safer Motors, the night-time economy and the high-profile ‘One Knife One Life’ campaign. After two years in Coventry he became a commander at Solihull. Alongside partner agencies, he focused on delivering a quality service to improve community safety, turning the operational command unit into one of the best performing in the force. In October 2008 he was promoted to Assistant Chief Constable. As head of the Citizen Focus portfolio, his wide-ranging role encompassed the neighbourhood policing agenda, offender management, criminal justice and media. Mr Scobbie will take up his post in the autumn and will work alongside Chief Constable Justine Curran leading the force forward. The convener of Tayside Joint Police Board, Mr Ian Mackintosh, said, “We are delighted with his appointment and are confident Mr Scobbie will bring a comprehensive range of skills and experience to his role and will work well with the Chief Constable. We believe he will be an asset to the force and people of Tayside.” Chief Constable Curran added, “This is a very exciting opportunity for Tayside Police and I am looking forward to working with Gordon. He is keen to get in post, roll his sleeves up and start working as we steer the force through the challenges that lie ahead.’’
“I had a variety of treatments including ultrasound, acupuncture and reflexology and this helped to reduce the pain in my knee to such an extent that I could participate in classes and activities which I had previously been unable to manage.” While Nicola faces further procedures to resolve her injury problems she is keen to highlight the help she has received from the team at Castlebrae. She said: “It is an excellent facility which provides first class treatment. I would thoroughly recommend that all officers donate to ensure this facility can continue to provide a high standard of care and support for us all.” Gemma Pettman, PR and Fundraising Manager for the Police Treatment Centres, said, “We want to highlight our range of services to those officers who don’t currently support us and show them how their donations could help us to help them and their colleagues should they suffer an injury or fall ill.” “Now more than ever, it’s vital every officer is fit and well, and at work protecting local communities. We can help to achieve this.” The donation rate is £1.21 per week and officers will be able to opt in during October by completing a short form online at www.thepolicetreatmentcentres.org
Stanley Miller - It was with great sadness that the Force was informed of the death of retired officer Stanley Miller. Stan, as he was known to colleagues, was an integral part of the Identification Branch before and after his retirement and attended many crime scenes over a number of years. Stan will be remembered for his sense of humour, his straight talking and his friendly approach. He was always good company both in work and at play, always having a great appetite for the social side of business. He played a major part in many of the most serious and complicated crimes over the past decades, as well as being there for the everyday events and occurrences. He will be sadly missed by all at Tayside Police and all of his colleagues at SPSA. Stan died after a serious illness at the start of September. He is survived by his wife Audrey and his children Kenny and Scott.
IN THIS ISSUE:
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN TAYSIDE POLICE • YOUR DATA QUALITY HOROSCOPE • SEXUAL OFFENCES (SCOTLAND) ACT 2009