Thomas Eccles
Sharon Clelland has been appointed as a Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain and will take up responsibility for the Scottish traffic area following deployment by the Senior Traffic Commissioner. She will officially begin the role on 6 April 2026.
Clelland joins the Traffic Commissioners from her position as Head of Legal Services at the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), the independent body responsible for oversight of policing in Scotland.
A solicitor of over 23 years’ standing, she brings extensive legal and regulatory experience across policing and the wider justice sector. Prior to her role at PIRC, Clelland spent 16 years with Police Scotland, developing specialist expertise in areas including public protection, public order, police misconduct and governance. Her career also includes work with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Kevin Rooney, Senior Traffic Commissioner, welcomed the appointment, saying:
“I am delighted that Sharon has been appointed to the Traffic Commissioner team. Her extensive experience in law enforcement and the emergency services will play a key role in strengthening our work to improve road safety.”
In recognition of her contribution to tackling serious and organised crime, Clelland received a Divisional Commander’s Special Recognition Award in 2017. Her final role with Police Scotland was as Senior Legal Advisor overseeing the policing response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2021, she was accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a Specialist in Risk Management and Governance.
A Scottish Government spokesperson added:
“We welcome Sharon Clelland’s appointment as Traffic Commissioner for Scotland. Her depth of legal expertise will be invaluable in supporting our vision for safer roads and a strong public transport system.”
