AN IRVINE police chief has retired after 30 years on the force.

Superintendent Neil Kerr retired on Friday from Police Scotland after decades of distinguished service.

Neil joined Strathclyde Police in 1986 and after completing his initial training, he served as a uniform constable in Saltcoats. 

He transferred to Govan in 1992 and was promoted to sergeant stationed at Cumnock in 1993.

Neil spent some time leading a plain clothes team working in South Ayrshire before returning to uniform working in a variety of roles including Operational Policing, Community Policing, Training and then as the Local Authority Liaison Officer for South Ayrshire Council.

Neil also served as a temporary Inspector in East Ayrshire before being promoted to Inspector in the Personnel Department.

He returned to Ayrshire serving as an Inspector in East and North Ayrshire and was promoted again, this time to Chief Inspector where he was the head of recruitment for Strathclyde Police. Neil received awards for his time spent in recruitment having recruited 1200 officers to Strathclyde Police in one year alone.

Irvine Times:

From there Neil spent time as an Area Commander in East Kilbride and then Area Commander in South Ayrshire before taking up a temporary role as Superintendent, Operations for Ayrshire Division.

Neil was promoted to Superintendent for Support and Service Delivery, from where he retires today.

Neil has had numerous career highlights in his 30 years but mentioned a few including having been the officer in charge of policing in Ayrshire on June15, 2013 when an Egypt Air aircraft flying from Cairo to New York diverted to Prestwick Airport following the discovery of a suspicious note on the aircraft.

He is also proud to have served as Match Commander at numerous Kilmarnock and Ayr United games over the years at Rugby Park and Somerset Park.

Neil said: “I have had a fantastic 30 years as a police officer and I have been lucky to have been promoted to Superintendent.

“I am an Irvine boy born and bred and look at Ayrshire Division as home. It has been a privilege and a pleasure working from PC to Superintendent, serving the Ayrshire Community and if I could do it all over again I wouldn’t hesitate.

“I would encourage anyone thinking about a career in the police to go for it.”

Chief Superintendent Gillian MacDonald Divisional Commander for Ayrshire Division thanked Neil for his dedication

She said: “It is difficult to do justice in a few words to such a well respected and highly regarded officer who has served in Ayrshire at every rank from constable to superintendent.”

“On behalf of everyone at Ayrshire Division I would like to thank Neil for his outstanding commitment to the Police Service and to the public, particularly those who he served in Ayrshire.

“Neil will be truly missed by everyone in Ayrshire Division and we wish him a very happy retirement.”