Gloucestershire Constabulary appoints interim deputy chief constable

She will take up her post on Monday November 11.

Interim Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said filling the vacancy, which has been vacant since January, had been one of her “first priorities”.

“The post of deputy chief constable is a pivotal one, overseeing performance improvement, planning, financial management, conduct and disciplinary issues,” she said.

“The deputy also has a leading role to play in managing risk, maintaining standards and promoting the Code of Ethics.

“The position has been vacant since January with the deputy chief constable’s responsibilities divided up between other chief officers and filling the vacancy was one of my first priorities when I started.

“The appointment of an interim deputy chief constable will further provide the organisation with stability and ensure we meet our statutory remit. I am confident this decisive action will consolidate the excellent executive leadership team already in place and provide reassurance to the communities we serve.”

Ms Blyth added: “I am pleased to say there were five high quality candidates who put themselves forward for the role. This demonstrates what an attractive place Gloucestershire Constabulary is to work and I’d like to thank them all for their interest in joining us.”

Ms Barrow-Grint joined Thames Valley Police in 2000 and has worked in a variety of roles including in response, CID, covert policing and neighbourhood policing.

As a senior officer she has been commander of Oxfordshire local policing area, and as assistant chief constable she currently oversees crime, intelligence, forensics, criminal justice and custody and public protection, and safeguarding for the force.

Most recently, she has led Thames Valley Police’s work tackling violence against women and girls, and has an academic interest in domestic abuse, writing and researching on the topic.

Ms Barrow-Grint said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Gloucestershire Constabulary as the interim deputy chief constable.

“Having spent lots of my life visiting family in the county, I know what a brilliant place it is and I am privileged to now be able to become part of the policing family serving its residents.

“I look forward to meeting my new colleagues and getting out into the communities of Gloucestershire over the coming weeks.”

An advert to recruit a permanent deputy chief constable is expected to be posted soon.