Shetland’s new police commander takes helm at time of change for force

Shetland’s new police chief took up his duties this week. Newly promoted chief inspector Angus Macinnes was appointed the new area commander for Shetland to replace outgoing chief inspector David Bushell. He has moved to take over as area commander for Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh.

Chief inspector Macinnes, who was born in Inverness and grew up in Scotland, England and Canada, previously worked in Shetland on a temporary placement and left the isles in 2009 to serve as area inspector in Caithness.

A married man with a love of the outdoors, he is now back in a permanent post which is likely to be between three and five years. He said: “I’m delighted to be back in a permanent posting. I have taken my sports kit back up [he enjoys cycling, climbing and kayaking], there are lots of opportunities to do things.”

There are also many opportunities work-wise, he said. His aim would be to “maintain an excellent police service conducted in a professional manner, make sure we’re doing the job properly and ensure we’re doing the best we can. We would welcome feedback from the community, [telling us] what we could do differently or better.”

Chief inspector Macinnes is now familiarising himself with his new role which he says he is very much looking forward to.

He said: “Having previously worked in Shetland I am delighted to have the opportunity to return. Being part of a remote community presents its own, very unique challenges and when these are combined with the changes currently taking place in Scottish policing we are witnessing some very interesting times.

“The police in Shetland, and for that matter throughout Scotland, have an important role in ensuring our communities remain safe and secure. As the area commander for Shetland I am committed to ensuring that we fully contribute in the professional manner expected of us.”

He sees the drug problem as a “big challenge”, as well as domestic abuse and alcohol-fuelled violence at weekends.

Chief inspector Macinnes joined Northern Constabulary in 1995 and was posted to Inverness before transferring to Cannich in 1999. He served there until being promoted to Sergeant in 2003. Upon promotion he returned to Inverness, working in a variety of roles, before moving to the staff office, executive unit, headquarters in early 2005.

In late 2007 he transferred to Alness where he was a uniform shift sergeant until early 2009, when he was promoted to inspector.

During his service he has gained experience as a public order tactical adviser working at the G8 summit at Gleneagles in 2007. He is also a trained public order commander and worked as a member of a mountain rescue team while serving in a single officer station. He has also served as a police media liaison officer and is a trained mediator.