Jim Coupland joined Lothian and Borders Police in 1978 and performed uniformed and CID duties in Central and North Edinburgh.

In 1988 he was promoted to Detective Sergeant and seconded to the National Drugs Intelligence Unit at Scotland Yard. He served as a detective in all ranks up to and including Detective Superintendent.

Jim has served three separate secondments to the National Crime Squad (Scotland) as a Detective Constable, Detective Inspector and as Deputy Director.

As a Chief Superintendent he commanded two distinctly different police divisions and also headed the force Corporate Development department. He is a trained public order, football and firearms commander.

For the last 15 months of his police service Jim was seconded to the Civil Nuclear Constabulary as Deputy Chief Constable.

In 1997 he graduated with a BA Law with distinction having been a full-time sponsored student.