New deputy named at Avon and Somerset

Avon and Somerset Constabulary has appointed a permanent deputy chief constable as its temporary chief constable announces his retirement.

John Long, who was the force’s deputy chief constable before being appointed temporary chief constable after the suspension of Chief Constable Nick Gargan, will retire at the end of August.

Gareth Morgan, who was seconded to the force while disciplinary proceedings took place against Mr Gargan, will take the post of deputy chief constable.

Mr Long joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1984 and was on duty during some of London’s major public order incidents including the Brixton riots in 1985 and the 1990 Poll Tax riots. He spent 18 years with the force before joining Avon and Somerset in 2003.

He was promoted to assistant chief constable in 2007 and took responsibility for the force’s criminal justice policy. During this period he led the police introduction of integrated offender management and later became the national police lead for this area.

Mr Morgan, who became temporary deputy chief constable after Mr Gargan’s suspension, joined West Midlands Police in 1990. In 1996 he joined the Accelerated Promotion Scheme and was promoted to detective chief inspector after attending the FBI National Academy at Quantico.

As a superintendent in 2005 he was appointed head of training, while in 2009 as chief superintendent he led the creation of the force’s public protection department.

In July 2012 he was appointed assistant chief constable for local policing at Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police.

Mr Morgan said: “It is a genuine privilege to support and help lead the officers and staff in the constabulary where the vast majority, every day, exemplify the best traditions of British policing.”

Earlier this month Mr Gargan was found not guilty of gross misconduct but guilty of misconduct (see page 7).