PSNI ACC to be new North Yorkshire chief constable

The police and crime commissioner (PCC) for North Yorkshire has selected her preferred choice as the new chief constable for the force.

Dave Jones, an assistant chief constable in charge of rural crime for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), will have his appointment reviewed by the police and crime panel on April 25.
This was the second time that Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire’s PCC, had advertised for the position, deciding she needed a more diverse range of candidates after interviewing the initial applicants.

Starting his policing career at Greater Manchester Police in 1988, Mr Jones was promoted to chief superintendent in 2002 and served as temporary assistant chief constable from February 2006 to April 2007. A politics and economics graduate from Liverpool, he also achieved a Masters in police management from the University of Manchester before moving to Northern Ireland in 2008.

Mr Jones said he was “immensely proud” to be selected for the post, describing it as “a great opportunity” to try and maintain North Yorkshire as “the safest place in England”.

“I am absolutely committed to ensuring that the people of North Yorkshire and the City of York continue to receive a first class policing service and that criminals are made unwelcome,” he said.

“I have huge affection for my current service, the PSNI, and would take this opportunity to pay tribute to the daily courage and sacrifice of the men and women of the service who place themselves in harm`s way to serve the people of Northern Ireland and wish them good fortune in the years ahead.”

Ms Mulligan said: “Undoubtedly we face some challenging years ahead. I have selected Dave because he will challenge the status quo and he will challenge me. I am looking forward to working with him and I know that he will quickly gain the trust, respect and support of all our officers and staff as well as our community and partner organisations.”

Brian Rea, chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said: “I am delighted that ACC Jones has been selected as the preferred candidate for this chief constable post and wish him every success in his new role.

“After nearly five years of service with the PSNI, I would also wish to place on record my thanks to him for the contribution he has made to policing in Northern Ireland and have no doubt this experience will stand him in good stead for the future.”