POLICE Scotland's new top cop thanks bobby's for "stability" during "challenging period" as he takes on his new role.

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone, previously Deputy Chief Constable Designate, took charge of the UK's second largest police service today.

He spoke to the recruits about leadership and public service as his first act as Chief Constable, while sending a message to all 22,000 officers and staff

He said: "I have been leading Police Scotland for almost a year now, but today marks a new era as I take up the post of Chief Constable.

"Policing has been my life and it is an honour and a privilege to be your Chief Constable and to lead the dedicated men and women of Police Scotland.

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"We have come through a challenging period with renewed purpose. I've always said leadership occurs at every level, and your leadership in the delivery of day-to-day policing has provided stability over the past year.

"My priority for the organisation is to lead the continued delivery of an outstanding police service for our fellow citizens."

Mr Livingstone's appointment comes more than six months after the resignation of former boss Phil Gormley amid an investigation over allegations of gross misconduct.

However, the police officer has been in charge of the force since Mr Gormley resigned in February, saying it was "impossible" to continue.

Mr Livingstone now hopes he has the right executive team to take on the job, with Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor asked to carry out a review of the command structure.

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He told his officers: "I believe this to be the single most important thing we must all remember as police officers and staff: we are there to serve the public. We are the public and the public are the police.

"We are also able to provide safety and security because of the nature of our single structure, which provides the best of local and the strength of national.

"But we have to adapt. The world is changing rapidly and policing has to change with it so that we can continue to provide the high level of service that our communities need and expect.

"When I started my career, most police work was carried out in public places.

"We then moved into the private space as society realised that the police had a role to play in keeping people safe in their own homes, combating child abuse and domestic violence.

Glasgow Times:

Police Scotland's new Chief Constable Iain Livingstone

"Now we have to keep people safe in the virtual space as people increasingly live their lives there.

"This need to change doesn't only affect us - the whole of the public sector is having to respond and I want to engage with colleagues in partner organisations as we go through this process together."

Mr Livingstone acknowledged, however, the force hasn't always got it right, with inaugural Chief Constable Sir Stephen House criticised for his lack of public consultation when embarking on new policing strategies following the inception of Police Scotland in 2012.

Speaking of the force's early days, he said: "The need to maintain an operational grip on policing meant that sometimes we moved too quickly, we didn't engage with our communities sufficiently. We were seen to impose national policies on local areas. Consistency and compliance came before local diversity.

"That approach has brought benefits. For example, we can now say with certainty that every homicide in Scotland is dealt with to the highest possible standard. Every domestic abuse case is treated in the same way regardless of where the victim lives.

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"But I know that it’s not one size fits all. It's my intention to build a more devolved policing service that better meets the needs of local communities.

"The transformation of policing must be driven by operational requirements.

"Therefore, it’s my job now to lead and drive that change and to build on the values, ethos and traditions of policing in Scotland that first attracted me to the job 26 years ago.

"It is a great responsibility and opportunity to lead the team that is Police Scotland, to harness your ideas and potential to serve the people of Scotland."