Following a successful 30-year career with first Strathclyde Police then Police Scotland, Alan retired from policing in 2021 with the rank of Chief Superintendent. He has an extensive background in Local Policing at all ranks, latterly serving as Divisional Commander of a territorial police division in the West of Scotland. His responsibilities encompassed the development and delivery of local policing services across a range of disciplines, and strategic liaison with key partners and elected representatives serving the area. This included multi-agency community planning and engagement with the Regional Resilience Partnership through the first year of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Throughout his police service Alan has undertaken a number of specialist roles, including Hostage and Crisis Negotiator, both as a first responder and at operational, tactical and strategic command levels. He also has considerable experience of incident emergency management, the planning and delivery of policing to events - including processions, demonstrations, VIP visits, international sporting events, festivals and concerts - and a variety of public order, firearms and CBRN operations. He was also a recognised authority on football policing and match command, making significant contributions to the development of national policy and process in this field.
Alan has taken part in a number of national level multi-agency exercises to test the response to a variety of crisis and terrorist scenarios.
Since joining the team at the EPC, Alan has delivered a range of multi-agency Civil Protection and Emergency Management courses to UK practitioners and senior leaders. He has also delivered Incident Emergency Management and Crisis Leadership courses to international students at operational, tactical and strategic level.
Alan is a strong advocate of partnership working and the value of different organisations learning and developing together towards a common goal. He also considers it a responsibility to share his knowledge and experience if it assists others provide a quality service to the public.
Alan has a partner and two adult children. In his spare time, he has an interest in football and rugby; long retired from playing but an avid spectator. He also keeps active through long walks in the countryside.
Resilience Capabilities:
Crowd and Event Safety
Risk, Planning and Preparedness
Response and Recovery Management
Qualifications:
Public Order Bronze (operational) Commander
Public Order Silver (tactical) Commander
Public Order Gold (strategic) Commander
CBRN Bronze (operational) Commander
CBRN Silver (tactical) Commander
CBRN Gold (strategic) Commander
Firearms Tactical Commander