Neil Richardson Deputy Chief Constable Strathclyde Police

As deputy chief constable, Neil Richardson has responsibility for a wide range of police matters including professional standards, complaints and discipline, corporate planning and development, quality, health and safety, change management and overseeing Force programmes and projects.

Originally from the North East of Scotland, Neil Richardson joined Lothian and Borders Police in 1985. After gaining experience in training, community safety, firearms and divisional operations he progressed to a senior post as staff officer to the chief constable. He also served within the CID and on secondment to the Scottish Drugs Enforcement Agency (SDEA).

His academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Open University, an MBA with distinction from Napier University and a Diploma in Applied Criminology from Cambridge University. He has completed police related research work in partnership with academic colleagues and is a fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

Having completed the Strategic Command Course at the Police Staff College, Bramshill, he took up post as deputy commander within Lothian and Borders’ A Division - where he played an important role in the introduction of new performance arrangements and the development of a more community focused policing style. He also took operational command of a wide range of significant events, operations and incidents within Edinburgh.

In 2006 he was promoted to assistant chief constable of Lothian and Borders Police with direct responsibility for territorial policing.

In 2008 he was appointed deputy chief constable of Strathclyde Police.

Neil Richardson is married with three young children.