Justine Curran has been appointed Tayside Police’s first female chief constable.

Ms Curran has been acting chief constable since August 2009 when former chief constable Kevin Mathieson retired.

Ms Curran joined the force in 2008 coming from Tayside Police where she was assistant chief constable.

Ms Curran was born in Sheffield and grew up in Lancashire, She began her policing career With Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in 1989, moving up through the ranks to chief superintendent in 2003.

Tayside Joint Police Board Councillor Ian Mackintosh said: "Since her arrival in Tayside, she has become an established member of the force executive.

"She is an officer of outstanding ability who is passionate about the importance of engaging with the communities of Tayside and the Board and I look forward to working with her."