Hertfordshire PCC selects innovative and forward-looking chief constable

Hertfordshire’s police and crime commissioner (PCC) has announced his preferred candidate to succeed retiring Chief Constable Andy Bliss.

Subject to a police and crime panel confirmation hearing, Norfolk Constabulary Deputy Chief Constable Charlie Hall will be the new leader of Hertfordshire Constabulary, following Mr Bliss’ retirement at the end of this month.

PCC David Lloyd said the selection follows a rigorous recruitment process including intensive recruitment, assessment and interview stages.

The role was advertised in the UK and abroad and two external applicants were subject to a series of pre-interviews and tests before a final selection process which included an engagement session with a range of public, private and third sector partners from Hertfordshire.

Mr Lloyd said: “Hertfordshire is a high performing force and has ambitious collaboration programmes with Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire and wider collaboration with forces in the Eastern Region.

“The next five years will be very challenging and I was looking for an individual who would be a forward-looking and innovative chief constable to join and enhance what has been a winning team.  I have recognised these qualities in Charlie Hall and I look forward to presenting him as my chosen candidate to the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Panel next week.”

Mr Hall joined Norfolk Constabulary in 1992 after graduating from Cambridge University with a degree in Natural Sciences.

He has led the introduction of neighbourhood policing as BCU Commander for Great Yarmouth, North Norfolk and Broadland and commanded the Organisational Development Team in designing and later implementing the Norfolk Policing Model, removing BCU structures. 

In 2009, he was promoted to assistant chief constable, initially taking responsibility for the HR portfolio and then in April 2010 working across both Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies to lead, build and implement an extensive programme of collaboration between the two forces.

In 2011, Mr Hall was appointed the collaborative lead for Protective Services in Norfolk and Suffolk, and oversaw the two forces’ work on public protection, intelligence, serious and major crime and specialist operations.

He has performed a number of national roles; he is the national policing lead for the civil contingencies portfolio and industrial action and prison disputes.

And since May 2013, he has been the senior responsible owner for the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP).

He was promoted to his current position in December 2013 with responsibility for legal services, HR, performance and standards.

Mr Hall said, “I am delighted to have been chosen by the police and crime commissioner as his preferred candidate for chief constable of Hertfordshire. There is much that impresses me about the constabulary and I look forward to working closely with its officers and staff, local communities and partner organisations to further strengthen policing of the county in the years ahead.”

The police and crime panel confirmation hearing hearing will take place on August 9.