New isles chief inspector impressed by what he has seen

Shetland’s latest top policeman started work in his new post on Monday morning.

David Bushell, 43, who was previously deputy area commander in the Badenoch, Strathspey and Nairn area, said he was very much looking forward to getting started in his new job as area commander. His appointment follows the retirement of former Chief Inspector Malcolm Bell.

Chief Inspector Bushell, a married man with three young children, started his career “on the streets of London” by joining the Metropolitan Police in 1986. There he developed an interest in community policing and worked in the capital’s big housing estates.

He said: “The policing [there] had to get back to basics, walking on the beat and chatting to re-build links with the community.”

He is very keen to continue links with the community in Shetland by having police on the beat “not just driving round in police cars”.

After working in London for eight years he moved with his wife (also in the police force and whom he met in London) to her home area of the north of Scotland.

While based at Inverness he became involved in some serious child protection inquiries and became the sex offenders registrar for the force. He visited Shetland in this capacity several times.

Chief Inspector Bushell, originally from the Newcastle area  and with an interest in sailing, cycling and walking, said he had been “very impressed” by what he had seen of Shetland.

“I’m very impressed by the whole situation, the geography, the island community and the work done at the station. I’m very keen to make sure it continues.”