New ACC a ‘huge asset’ to the force

New assistant chief constable John Long is hoping to build on his existing success in policing Bristol.

ACC Long, currently district commander for the city, is expected to take up his new post in April.

Dr Moira Hamlin, chair of Avon and Somerset Police Authority, said Mr Long’s appointment was a “huge asset” to the force.

His role will be key in the force`s ongoing performance improvement strategy in the city and he will also be responsible for the other strategic portfolios which will be decided in the coming weeks.

He joined Avon and Somerset in 2003 as superintendent in the headquarters operations department, and has masterminded the policing of the Glastonbury music festival.

The keen musician and runner is also a trustee of the Bristol Drugs Project and is a visiting lecturer at the University of the West of England.

ACC Long’s appointment brings the number of assistant chief constables in the force to four.

ACC Long joined the force from the Metropolitan Police where he began his career in 1984 after spending two years working as an economist on the project to build the Metro system in Newcastle.

During his 18 years in the capital he worked in various locations across London and served during the Wapping and Broadwater Farm riots of the 80s, the Clapham and Ladbrook Grove rail disasters, and the poll tax riots of the early 90s.

As superintendent head of operations in Wandsworth, ACC Long was the gold commander for the annual University Boat Race.