Bedfordshire PCC chooses female chief constable
The preferred candidate to be the new chief constable of Bedfordshire Police has been named.
The preferred candidate to be the new chief constable of Bedfordshire Police has been named.
Colette Paul, the current deputy chief constable of South Wales Police, was appointed from a shortlist of four and will be considered by the police and crime panel when it meets on June 4.
Speaking on the appointment, Bedfordshires police and crime commissioner (PCC), Olly Martins, said he felt Ms Paul was the best person available for the role.
This was a difficult decision as all the candidates were of a particularly high calibre and a very important one. However, I firmly believe that we have selected the individual best suited to the needs of Bedfordshire Police and our local communities, in line with my overall objective of a safer Bedfordshire, he said.
Colette impressed us all with her infectious energy and enthusiasm, and I very much look forward to working with her to deliver my Police and Crime Plan.
Ms Paul said she was looking forward to working in Bedfordshire, with Mr Martins and the senior officer team, to ensure the delivery of the kind of service that the public of Bedfordshire expect and deserve.
Starting her career at the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) after graduating from Keele University, she later served as staff officer to Lord Stephens during his period as MPS commissioner. In 2008, she took up the position of assistant chief constable with South Wales Police, before becoming deputy chief constable in 2010.
During the appointment process, Mr Martins consulted with a selection panel, including Peter Conniff, the former chair and independent police authority member and Carolyn Dhanraj, an independent member from the College of Policing. Peter Neyroud, the former chief constable and chief executive of the National Policing Improvement Agency, also assisted as a special advisor to the panel.
Applicants went through a rigourous recruitment process in addition to the interview that included a media exercise to camera, psychological appraisals and presentations.