THE beleaguered Grampian Police force suffers further criticism in a report published today, which calls for a major shake-up of its CID operations.
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary also criticises its financial management arrangements and the fact that staff shortages had led to poorer crime figures than other Scottish forces.
It makes 13 key recommendations for improvements in the running of the force, which has been under pressure following the flawed investigation into the murder of Aberdeen schoolboy Scott Simpson by convicted paedophile Steven Leisk, and the behaviour of former Chief Constable Dr Ian Oliver, who left a trail of controversies in his wake, including an alleged relationship with a young married mother.
The report has been published just five days after Chief Constable Andrew Brown took charge, and less than 48 hours after the force launched a recruitment drive for 100 new staff.
The Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir William Sutherland, said ''leadership of the highest calibre'' would be needed to drive forward his recommendations.
One area he wants tackled quickly is the financial management of the force, which has led to a projected underspend for this year of #1.8m.
He said: ''Financial expertise is too remote from the decision-making process, the finance department is understaffed and written financial procedures are lacking.''
In spite of these difficulties, he wants to see devolved budgeting introduced. Part of the underspend of the police budget could be attributed to the fact the force was seriously undermanned, with 61 officers less than it was capable of funding.
Sir William said: ''It is necessary that the force better manages new appointments to ensure the maximum number of uniform patrol officers. This is vital in addressing crime trends in the north-east, which in recent years reflect a disappointing comparison with the rest of Scotland.''
However, he added that Mr Brown was inheriting a ''workforce of committed staff ready to be led into the next millennium''.
The shake-up of the CID is already under way and will be a key priority of Mr Brown and his number three, Mr Peter Wilson, both in charge of CID during their previous careers with Lothian and Borders Police.
The CID at the force's headquarters at Queen Street, Aber-deen, is being split and officers will be brought under the control of uniformed commanders.
A spokesman for Grampian Police said last night the force was taking action on all of the report's recommendations. Mr Brown had asked independent consultants to carry out a comprehensive review of the working arrangements for the force's financial management.
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