By Alan Wilson

TAYSIDE POLICE chief constable John Vine (52) is to leave the force in the summer to become chief inspector of the new UK Border Agency.

In the high-profile government position he will provide an independent external analysis of the agency’s systems and will focus on the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation.

He will also provide an annual report for the Home Secretary which will be laid before the UK Parliament, helping to provide assurance about the agency’s performance to both MPs and the public.

The UK Border Agency is responsible for securing the country’s borders and controlling migration in the country.

It manages border control for the UK, enforcing immigration and customs regulations and also considers applications for permission to enter or stay in the country, citizenship and asylum.

Mr Vine’s appointment was announced in the House of Commons yesterday after being ratified by the Tayside Joint Police Board.

Although officially being released from his Tayside position on secondment, it effectively ends his tenure as chief constable.

The board will now actively seek a replacement.

Mr Vine said, ‘‘I am delighted to be presented with this exciting and demanding opportunity which comes at a time when immigration is one of the foremost issues in the United Kingdom today.

“I’ve been here for seven years and in that time the force has gone a long way in terms of reducing crime, but it’s a tremendous opportunity for me.

“I was approached about the position but then I had to compete for the post. I feel very honoured to have been approached by the Home Secretary.

“It will be a very demanding role which I will have to create from scratch and it will be very much in the public eye and at the top of the political agenda.

“I am sure the board will make a wise choice in my successor who will carry on the level of performance that we have achieved over the past seven years. We’ve got the same brilliant staff who work hard for the community.

“I have agreed with the board that I will start towards the end of July, or the beginning of August, I just wanted to ensure that they have time to secure my successor before I leave.”

Joint board convener councillor Ian Mackintosh said after the board meeting, “The members approved, with some mixed feelings, the secondment of the chief constable, Mr John Vine, to the post of chief inspector of the UK Border Agency.

“This is a prestigious post and, with them choosing Mr Vine to head up the new body, the board recognise the regard he is held in by the UK Government.

“Nevertheless, the board members are aware that they are losing the services of one of the most talented officers of his generation.

“During his period at the helm Mr Vine has made Tayside Police one of the most respected and efficient forces in the country.

“The advice and opinions of Tayside senior officers are now sought worldwide.

“The members of the joint board, while sorry to lose the chief constable, wish him well in his new appointment.

“All salary, expenses and pension costs relating to this secondment will be reimbursed to the board.

“Under the term of this secondment, the board will be free to appoint a replacement chief constable and the board discussed today how this would be taken forward.

“As previously stated, John’s appointment reflects not only on him but also on the reputation and performance of the force and what has been achieved under his tenure.

“On behalf of the board, I wish to congratulate John in his appointment to this prestigious role and we wish him every success when he takes up his new post.”

The hunt to find a successor will be spread across the country and begin almost immediately.

Tayside Police Joint Board will handle the entire process, from advertising the post, identifying suitable candidates and interviewing them before making the final decision.

A police spokeswoman said, “It is a board appointment, the post will be advertised nationally and candidates will be brought to interview.

“Ultimately it is their decision, nobody from Tayside Police will be involved in that process.”

However, it is open to the board to ask Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS) for guidance on the issue.

It is likely to take several months before an appointment is made. However the board hopes to have their chosen successor in place before Mr Vine leaves at the end of July.

Meanwhile Fife Constabulary are already well down the line towards appointing a successor to chief constable Peter Wilson, who retires next month, also ending more than seven years in the post.

A spokeswoman for Fife Council, who will make the appointment, said yesterday they were still in the process of finding a replacement.