Sir Iain Livingstone QPM is a senior police leader and lawyer with a life-long commitment to public service and justice.
Sir Iain was Chief Constable of Police Scotland from August 2018 until August 2023, having served as Interim Chief since September 2017. Under his leadership Police Scotland, the UK’s second largest police service, was transformed, setting internationally recognised standards for tackling crime and serving communities. He enhanced the global reputation of policing in Scotland through the establishment of an international academy.
In October 2023, Sir Iain accepted a request to be the officer in overall command of Operation Kenova www.opkenova.co.uk , a broad and complex investigation into matters associated with The Troubles in Northern Ireland. He had previously sat as a member of Operation Kenova’s Independent Steering Group and its Governance Board.
Sir Iain graduated in law from the Universities of Aberdeen and Strathclyde. He practised as a solicitor working in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London, primarily in the field of corporate law.
As a Detective Sergeant he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and graduated with a master’s degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.
Sir Iain, in serving as a police officer for over 31 years, led many complex multi-jurisdictional investigations and serious crime operations and as the Chief Constable led Police Scotland through the covid period and the death in Scotland of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
In 2015, Sir Iain received the Queen’s Police Medal and was knighted in 2022 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth for services to policing and the public.
Sir Iain has been married for 34 years and has three adult daughters and five grandchildren.