Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit in V Division is going through a change in management with the forthcoming retiral of Inspector Neil Hewitson. Neil has been in charge of roads policing in Dumfries and Galloway for seven years now and saw the change from Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary to Police Scotland in 2013. Neil said “I have spent the majority of my police service in roads policing, as constable, sergeant and latterly as inspector in charge of the unit, and have seen many changes in the motoring world through my 30 years. The road networks are much busier today than they were when I joined the service in 2006. Vehicles and the roads themselves are much safer now. In 1986, when I joined as a young constable in the force, 42 people lost their lives on the roads in Dumfries and Galloway, as opposed to 12 people last year. Some things don’t change however, and speed, careless and drink driving are still the main causes of collisions.”
Taking up Neil’s post is Inspector Campbell Moffat who moves from being Area Inspector at Newton Stewart to head up the Roads Policing Unit at Dumfries.
Again, Campbell is no stranger to roads policing and has spent 16 of his 25 years in the service in roads policing, including a spell as a driving instructor at the Scottish Police College. Campbell said “I am delighted to be taking up this post and look forward to carrying on the excellent work that Neil has been doing with the unit help keep the roads of Dumfries and Galloway safer, and with partners in the region’s Road Safety Partnership.
In particular I want to help drive home the message that Police Scotland will work hard to catch those foolish and reckless enough to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence of drink or drugs. It appals me that we caught and reported another four drivers over the recent bank holiday weekend in the region for drink driving despite all the warnings about the new limits. When are drivers going to learn?”
Inspector Moffat ( Pictured on the right) takes up his new post on 30 May 2016.
