New Essex chief constable appointed

Essex Police Authority has announced Jim Barker-McCardle as the new chief constable of Essex Police.

Appointed on Tuesday, July 21, Mr Barker-McCardle will be taking over the roles from Roger Baker as soon as possible.

The announcement follows a thorough selection process, which ended yesterday with an interview with the police authority`s selection panel.

Chairman of Essex Police Authority, Robert Chambers said; “I am delighted that Mr Barker- McCardle will be joining Essex Police. I am looking forward to working with him to continue to provide the people of Essex with an excellent police service.”

Mr Barker-McCardle will be leaving his post as deputy chief constable and deputy chief executive at the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA). Peter Neyroud, chief executive of the NPIA, said: “I am extremely pleased that Jim has secured this promotion. It is a welcome testament to all the achievements he has made in his career and I want to thank him most warmly for all his hard work for the NPIA and performing so ably as my Deputy. He will be sorely missed by myself and all of his colleagues. I think it is also noteworthy that yet another senior NPIA colleague has moved into a Chief Constable position which reflects the high value attached to our national work in supporting the police service.”

Mr Barker- McCardle, 48, joined Kent Police in 1981 and served throughout the county in a number of uniform and detective roles. He was then appointed as assistant chief constable in Kent in 1999.

Appointed Deputy Chief Constable in March 2004 he was involved in the early stages of the collaboration programme between Essex Police and Kent Police before transferring to the NPIA in November 2007 as deputy chief constable and deputy chief executive.

Mr Barker- McCardle said; “I am delighted and proud to have been appointed as Chief Constable for Essex Police. I am very much looking forward to working with Essex Police Authority, Essex Police officers and staff, and of course the people of Essex to continue to make the county even safer”.