New inspectors of constabulary announced
Four new inspectors of constabulary have been announced by Home Secretary Alan Johnson.
Four new inspectors of constabulary have been announced by Home Secretary Alan Johnson.
Appointed by the Queen following recommendation from Mr Johnson, the four new inspectors are:
Roger Baker, Bernard Hogan-Howe, Zoe Billingham and Drusilla Sharpling.
They will be charged with inspecting the police forces and authorities of England and Wales as part of Her Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) following their appointment.
Mr Hogan-Howe and Mr Baker are both former chief constables, of Merseyside and Essex respectively.
Prior to his role with Essex Police Mr Baker served as a deputy chief constable of North Yorkshire Police for two years, with portfolio responsibility for performance, crime and operations, audit, review and inspection.
From 2001 to 2003, Mr Baker was Assistant Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police, with portfolio responsibility for territorial policing, crime and operations.
He was awarded a Queens Policing Medal in 2008.
Mr Hogan-Howe has been chief constable of Merseyside Police since September 2004.
Previously he was Assistant Commissioner at the Metropolitan Police Service with responsibility for human resources.
From 1997 to 2001, he was Assistant Chief Constable for Merseyside Police, with responsibilities including community affairs and area operations.
Mr Hogan-Howe was awarded a QPM in 2003.
Ms Billingham has been director of community safety and sustainability at the Audit Commission since February 2004.
Before this, she worked in the Cabinet Office for four years, initially as a development manager in the Regulatory Impact Unit, then as a deputy director in the Office of Public Services.
Ms Sharpling was a Chief Crown Prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service in London since 2002.
It was her second spell at the CPS, following 12 years of service from 1987. In that time, Ms Sharpling worked in various roles, including head of casework services and crown prosecutor.
Alan Johnson said:
“I am pleased to announce the appointments of Roger Baker, Zoe Billingham, Drusilla Sharpling, and Bernard Hogan-Howe as Her Majestys Inspectors of Constabulary.
All four have enjoyed exceptional careers and will bring a range of new and different abilities to this vital and challenging role.