New challenge for Hertfordshire deputy

The deputy chief constable of Hertfordshire Constabulary is set to leave her position and join the Garda Inspectorate.

Hertfordshire Police Authority announced this week that Heather Valentine will leave the force later this year to take up the role of an inspector.

Ms Valentine is expected to take on an influential position at the organisation to help oversee the community based Garda Síochána police force which consists of more than 14,500 garda (officers) and police staff.

Ms Valentine joined the service with the Metropolitan Police Service in 1979 and has been leading the corporate change programme, human resources and legal services at Hertfordshire.

She was appointed assistant chief constable in July 2007 before taking the role of deputy chief constable on an interim basis in September 2010. In May 2011, Ms Valentine was appointed as temporary chief constable, before returning to the role of deputy chief constable in June 2011.

She has helped the force undertake a comprehensive and wide-ranging change programme over the past two years, to make more effective use of its people and resources and to ensure that it can continue to deliver a high quality service within a declining budget.