Calum Steele, current General Secretary of The Scottish Police Federation, has been confirmed as the new President of the European Confederation of Police (EuroCOP).

From today he will be leading EuroCOP to represent the interests of 230,000 police officers through 30 police unions and staff organisations across 25 European countries, including Spain, Greece, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the UK.

He is taking over from Angels Bosch, a Member of the Catalan Police force, Mossos d’Esquadra, who’s held the post since 2015.

In the past, the role has been a supporting role to help EU Commission staff understand policing issues.

The organisation takes on issues such as improving cross-border police cooperation and ensuring all European Police officers can do their jobs in the safest way, with the best available protective equipment and best working conditions for them as possible.

Police Scotland’s Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said the appointment would raise the profile of his force at international level.

“Many congratulations to Calum Steele elected to this key European role, Scottish policing playing its part internationally.”

Mr Steele said the challenges of Brexit should not be under-estimated: “We have to recognise that Brexit in whatever form will change the face of European law enforcement cooperation, and we must do all we can do to ensure that our citizens do not suffer as a consequence.

“We cannot ignore the real challenges created by the re-emergence of a migration surge into Europe, and we must ensure police officers have the tools and training to combat increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.”

Mr Steele made clear he would be representing all officers of member states.

He said: “Police unions, associations, and federations rightly champion the voice of their members in every corner of Europe, and through EuroCOP and its dedicated team, I will ensure those voices are heard loudly and clearly in the very heart of the continent’s democratic institutions.”

The appointment tops a 27-year career in Scotland’s police service. He has been General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation since 2008.