New DCC ‘absolutely committed’ to empowering officers and staff
Northumbria Police’s temporary deputy chief constable has taken up the role full-time.
Darren Best says he wants to use his promotion to “further empower officers and staff to deliver an outstanding service” to the people of Northumbria.
After acting as the force’s second-in-command for the last eight months, he was offered a permanent job as deputy chief constable on Friday (June 22).
Mr Best fills a vacancy left by former DCC Winton Keenen, who was appointed chief constable earlier this year.
He said: “Collectively, as a force, we are determined to deliver an outstanding service to the public and I firmly believe we have the right people with the expertise, passion and commitment to achieve that.
“It is my job, alongside the chief constable, to drive this vision. In doing so, I am absolutely committed to building on the culture within the force, in which our officers and staff are fully supported and empowered to be at their best every day. This includes when having to make extremely difficult decisions in challenging circumstances.
“Our officers and staff provide a fantastic service and I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to them – they do amazing things and I am genuinely proud of them.”
Mr Best began his policing career in Cleveland in 1989.
After seven years he was promoted to sergeant but a broken leg forced him to work for a while in corporate development, before moving to the child protection unit.
He has since worked in roles including area commander and head of crime.
He transferred to Northumbria Police as an assistant chief constable in 2016, and became temporary deputy chief constable late last year following the retirement of former Chief Constable Steve Ashman.
Mr Keenen said: “I am absolutely delighted to have Darren Best as the deputy chief constable.
“Darren has a wealth of policing experience, from across the North East area and will be pivotal in helping to ensure Northumbria Police delivers a policing service that our communities expect and deserve.”
Police and crime Commissioner Dame Vera Baird said: “I look forward to working with Deputy Chief Constable Best and continuing our partnership in achieving high standard policing for Northumbria.
“Darren’s dedicated focus on adapting policing in line with the challenges faced by officers is great to see and I’m confident he will continue his success with Northumbria.”