PCC confirms replacement for long-serving chief

Carl Foulkes, who is currently deputy chief constable at Merseyside Police, will take over from Mark Polin who retired last month following almost nine years in charge of the force.

North Wales PCC Arfon Jones said: “I am delighted to name Carl Foulkes as my preferred candidate for North Wales’ new chief constable.

“His experience, enthusiasm and commitment was clear from the interview process and I am pleased to be able to put his name forward to the police and crime panel.

“I will not be making any further comment until the panel have had the opportunity to review the appointment at a confirmation hearing.”

Mr Foulkes, who is from Caergwrle, near Wrexham, began his policing career with British Transport Police in 1993, having previously served in the Royal Navy during the first Gulf War.

Ten years later, he joined West Midlands Police as a detective chief inspector in Walsall before he was appointed operations superintendent in Birmingham.

In 2010, Mr Foulkes assumed command of force intelligence, before moving on to head the criminal investigation department, where he manged the force’s response to serious organised crime, homicide and acquisitive crime.

He also holds national portfolio responsibility for assisting offender debriefing under the Serious Organised Crime and Policing Act 2005, Open Source Investigations and UK Protected Persons Service.

Mr Foulkes said: “I am proud and privileged to have been chosen as the preferred candidate to serve the people of North Wales.

“I look forward to meeting the police and crime panel at my confirmation hearing and subject to their approval of my appointment, I very much look forward to leading such a dedicated and hard-working force.”

Deputy Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard is currently filling in for Mr Polin as North Wales Police waits for the new appointment to be confirmed by the police and crime panel.