Drugs and drink prime targets of new police head of ops
Chief Superintendent Ralph Noble
A NEW head of operations has been appointed at Northern Constabulary as part of a major shake up within the force following the retirement of its former chief constable Ian Latimer.
Chief Superintendent Ralph Noble, one of the force’s most experienced officers, has taken over as head of operations following the retiral of Chief Superintendent Bruce Duncan.
And he vowed to crackdown on illegal drug use and recognised the affect alcohol misuse as on the region’s communities.
Formerly a detective superintendent and head of crime services for two years, Mr Noble is an officer with a long history of CID and investigative experience in targeting serious and organised crime in the Highlands and Islands.
He joined Northern Constabulary’s cadet scheme in 1975 and has worked throughout the force’s operational region.
He said: "The Highlands and Islands of Scotland remain the safest place to live and work in the United Kingdom. This position is made possible to large extent by the level of co-operation we enjoy from our communities, and the accessible and responsive policing model we choose to deliver our services.
"My aim is to ensure that we continue to provide a high quality, visible and effective policing throughout the force area."
He added: "The availability and misuse of drugs in our communities impacts on many families, creating victims indiscriminately. We can only tackle this by placing sustained focus on those profiteers who traffic illegal substances to the Highlands and Islands.
"Public co-operation, vigilance and a steady supply of information are the key ingredients to successful enforcement action which we will continue to undertake against the availability and supply of controlled substances.
"We will continue to disrupt such activity and take action against offenders wherever possible. Whilst enforcement plays its part, greater focus must also be placed on diversion and treatment as part of an effective and comprehensive intervention strategy to stem the tide, as concentrating on the symptoms alone is not the answer."
He also recognises the effect alcohol has on our communities. He said: "Responsibility for effective intervention and action does not rest exclusively with the police and must involve the effective engagement of public partners and society itself in finding ways to tackle and effectively manage the problem down. A reduction in alcohol misuse is highly likely to manifest itself as a reduction of crime and disorder."
His appointment comes just a day after it was announced George Graham had taken up the post of Chief Constable and last month, the force also announced that Chief Superintendent Andy Cowie will succeed Deputy Chief Constable of Northern Constabulary Garry Sutherland when he retires.
He will take up his new role on May 22.
