Willie Rae
Encyclopedia
Sir William "Willie" Rae, QPM
, is the former Chief Constable
of Strathclyde Police
, the largest police force in Scotland
. Sir William is married and has two grown up sons. In recognition of his achievements Rae was awarded a knighthood by the Queen, in 2005.
in 1968. Dunbartonshire Constabulary merged with five other forces into what is now Strathclyde Police
in 1975. Sir William was promoted to Sergeant
in 1977, and rose swiftly through the ranks throughout the 1980s. In 1996 he became Chief Constable of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary
.
In 2001, he returned to Strathclyde Police
as Chief Constable. He served as the Honorary Secretary of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland
. In the spring of 2007 Sir William announced that he will retire from the Force in September 2007. He played a significant part in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport in July 2007. As the public face of Scotland's police he was widely quoted across the world. Sir Willie Rae retired in November 2007, replaced by Stephen House
.
Queen's Police Medal
The Queen's Police Medal is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for gallantry or distinguished service. Recipients may use the post-nominal letters "QPM", although the right to use these was only granted officially on 20 July 1969...
, is the former Chief Constable
Chief Constable
Chief constable is the rank used by the chief police officer of every territorial police force in the United Kingdom except for the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police, as well as the chief officers of the three 'special' national police forces, the British Transport Police, Ministry...
of Strathclyde Police
Strathclyde Police
Strathclyde Police is the territorial police force responsible for the Scottish council areas of Argyll and Bute, City of Glasgow, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West...
, the largest police force in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Sir William is married and has two grown up sons. In recognition of his achievements Rae was awarded a knighthood by the Queen, in 2005.
Career
He joined Dunbarton County Constabulary as a police cadet in 1966, and was appointed as a ConstableConstable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
in 1968. Dunbartonshire Constabulary merged with five other forces into what is now Strathclyde Police
Strathclyde Police
Strathclyde Police is the territorial police force responsible for the Scottish council areas of Argyll and Bute, City of Glasgow, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West...
in 1975. Sir William was promoted to Sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
in 1977, and rose swiftly through the ranks throughout the 1980s. In 1996 he became Chief Constable of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary
Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary
Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary is the territorial police force responsible for the council area of Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland.The police force was formed in 1948 as an amalgamation of the police forces of Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, and Wigtownshire, and preceded the creation of...
.
In 2001, he returned to Strathclyde Police
Strathclyde Police
Strathclyde Police is the territorial police force responsible for the Scottish council areas of Argyll and Bute, City of Glasgow, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire and West...
as Chief Constable. He served as the Honorary Secretary of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland
Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland
The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland is the collective organisation of Chief Constables, Deputy Chief Constables and Assistant Chief Constables from the eight Police forces in Scotland....
. In the spring of 2007 Sir William announced that he will retire from the Force in September 2007. He played a significant part in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport in July 2007. As the public face of Scotland's police he was widely quoted across the world. Sir Willie Rae retired in November 2007, replaced by Stephen House
Stephen House
Stephen House QPM is the current Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police.He was appointed in 2007 and joined the force in the November of that year, replacing retiring Chief Constable, Sir Willie Rae....
.