FIFE Constabulary has a new Chief Constable.

Former Deputy Chief Constable Norma Graham, 45, is the first woman to be appointed to the position in Scotland.

Mrs Graham was interviewed by an Appointments Committee of eight councillors chaired by Fife Council Leader Peter Grant. Chief Executive of Fife Council Ronnie Hinds, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland Paddy Tomkins and HR Manager Sharon McKenzie were advisors to the committee.

Council Leader and Committee Chair Peter Grant commented: "I'm delighted that Norma has decided to take up the offer of this hugely important post for Fife. She is highly qualified having worked at a senior level for a number of years and has fantastic experience. This will help us continue to make Fife a great place to live, work and visit."

Scottish Government Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "I congratulate Norma Graham on her appointment as the first female Chief Constable in Scotland.  She has made, and I am sure will continue to make, an outstanding contribution to policing in Scotland, through her effectiveness in operational leadership; her championing of diversity in a service that is, even now, still predominantly white and male in composition; and her commitment as a driver of change and modernisation in the police service."  

Mrs Graham joined the police service in 1981 serving in Lothian & Borders Police. Her early career featured a number of uniform and CID roles in Edinburgh and the Lothians, including Head of the Force Drug Squad and Head of Force Policy.

On promotion to Superintendent, Mrs Graham became Deputy Divisional Commander in the north of the city and later moved to HM Inspectorate of Constabulary as Chief Superintendent, Lead Staff Officer responsible for the inspection of all Scottish Forces. On return to Lothian & Borders Police, she was appointed Head of Crime Management.

Mrs Graham was appointed Assistant Chief Constable of Central Scotland Police in 2002, where she was responsible for operations.  She came to Fife in 2005 taking up the post of Deputy Chief Constable. In May 2008 Mrs Graham was appointed to her current role in Fife Constabulary as Acting Chief Constable.

Chief Constable Norma Graham commented:"I am absolutely delighted to be appointed Chief Constable of Fife Constabulary. It is a real honour to be asked to lead an organisation that is so committed to providing a high quality policing service to our communities.

"I look forward to building on the excellent work of my predecessor Peter Wilson, and to working closely with the Police, Fire and Safety Committee and other community planning partners in delivering meaningful outcomes for the people of Fife."