Paddy Tomkins BA(Hons), RCDS

Chief Constable, Lothian and Borders Police

Paddy Tomkins became Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police in January 2002. He was educated at Hastings Grammar School and King’s College London, where he took a First Class Honours degree in history.

He joined Sussex Police in 1979, and was commended by the Chief Constable for his actions as the first Sergeant at the scene of the IRA bombing of the Grand Hotel, Brighton, in October 1984. He subsequently served in Special Branch before moving to Gatwick Airport where he was operations manager. He became divisional commander in the busy new town of Crawley in January 1992.

He transferred to the Metropolitan Police Service as a Chief Superintendent in 1993, taking command of Paddington Green Division. He was promoted to Commander in 1997 and attended the Royal College of Defence Studies, winning the top prize for that year. He subsequently served as Commander (Crime) for Central London, commanding major incidents such as the Greek Embassy siege and led a successful multi-force hunt for one of the worst serial rapists of recent years.

He was seconded to HM Inspectorate of Constabulary as a Deputy Assistant Commissioner in April 1999 where he was responsible for advising HM Chief Inspector and for managing thematic inspections on terrorism, crime and all aspects of specialist operational policing.

During his period of leadership at Lothian and Borders Police, he has steered the force through a period of momentous change which accompanied Edinburgh’s Capital City status and the opening of the Scottish Parliament.

His tenure has also seen the resolution of many high profile criminal cases, including the Jodi Jones and World’s End murders, and the successful marshalling of the force’s operational commitments to the G8 conference.

A member of Council of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, he is Chair of the Diversity Business Area, represents the Association on the ACPO (EW & NI) Standing Committee on Diversity and other related committees, and is Vice-Chair of the Crime Business Area.

Mr Tomkins is married with two children and his recreational interests include fly-fishing and reading.

 

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