Mr Naylor is currently deputy director of investigations at the National Crime Agency. He has over 30 years’ policing experience including as deputy chief constable in Lincolnshire Police and as a divisional commander at Police Scotland.

Mr Naylor will lead HM Inspectorate of Constabulary Scotland (HMICS) in delivering an annual programme of independent inspection, monitoring and evaluation of Police Scotland.

He will also be a source of professional independent advice on police matters, publish reports of inspections and produce an annual report to Ministers on the police service in Scotland.

The appointment, which follows an external recruitment competition, is made by Royal Warrant. The post is entirely independent of government, police and the Scottish Police Authority.

Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: “HMICS plays a vital role in ensuring Scotland’s police continue to perform their duties to a high standard as they strive to keep Scotland’s communities safe.

“With such a strong and varied policing background, much of it spent in Scottish policing, Craig Naylor brings a great wealth of experience to the role of Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland. I am delighted that he has been appointed to this role.

“I would also like to put on record my gratitude to Gill Imery for fulfilling this extremely important role for the last four years. She has made an outstanding contribution to policing in Scotland and I wish her well in whatever she chooses to do next.”

Mr Naylor said: “I am delighted and extremely honoured to have been appointed to the role of HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland.

“The importance of having independent and objective scrutiny of policing to ensure challenging issues are addressed, as well as to highlight the positive contribution policing makes in our communities and in keeping people safe, cannot be overstated.

“A strong and independent Inspectorate should enhance the legitimacy of the service provided to Scotland’s communities.”