6THE man charged with restoring the battered image of Grampian Police was last night named as Mr Andrew Brown, head of crime strategy for Lothian and Borders Police.
Mr Brown was appointed Chief Constable of Grampian and will take over the #85,000 a year post early next month from the controversial incumbent Dr Ian Oliver who retires on May 24.
The new chief is already acquainted with the problems of the North-east force having headed a seven-month investigation into allegations concerning Mr Ron Coutts, the head of the CID who was subsequently cleared.
Yesterday Mr Brown, 53, was reluctant to become involved in discussions about the past in Grampian Police including the departure of Dr Oliver in the wake of a critical inquiry, also carried out by Lothian and Borders Police, into the handling of the disappearance and murder of nine-year-old Scott Simpson and the revelation of Dr Oliver's relationship with a young married woman.
There was also controversy over his departure to Taiwan for an international police conference at the time of publication of a report by Aberdeen's social work department into its role in the Scott Simpson case.
To reduce the likelihood of any such situation arising in the future the Joint Police Board who appointed Mr Brown is understood to have outlined a number of ''ground rules'' in the job description as given to the five who were interviewed for the post yesterday.
That includes the stipulation that they will not travel abroad without the permission of the board.
The Herald also understands that there will be restrictions on the value and use of the chief constable's car. Dr Oliver was leaning against his police Range Rover when he was photographed meet-ing with the wife of an Aberdeen businessman in a forest car park.
Mr Brown, the former head of CID for Lothian and Borders, said they were negotiating to enable him to start in early June.
''As early as possible,'' said Mr Pat Chalmers who presided over the protracted departure of Dr Oliver as the chairman of the joint Board with which Dr Oliver had at times an extremely fraught relationship.
''I think unquestionably there will be a better relationship and I certainly will be working hard at that and I know Andrew will as well,'' said Mr Chalmers who has made no secret of his enthusiasm to see Dr Oliver go. ''I think there are fences that might have been broken that will be mended very quickly.''
Borderer Mr Brown said: ''I am delighted to be here. I have spent a lot of time in the force recently finding out about it and there are some fine people and I know I can work with them and know I can work with the community here.''
Asked about recent controversies he said: ''That's in the past and what we want to do is to look forward. Grampian Police has a fine tradition and there are many fine officers and support staff and I am very confident we can do a good job for the community in this area.
Mr Brown, a police officer for 34 years, is married to Fiona and they have a son aged six and a five-year-old daughter. ''We will be looking forward to buying a house here and coming to live in this community,'' he said.
Scott Simpson's dad Denny said last night: ''Oliver is history and we're just getting on with our lives. I wish Andrew Brown all the best, although I feel sorry for him having to rebuild all the bridges and get confidence back into the community.''
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