News / News Wire
New police chief constable appointed
Andy Marsh has been appointed the new chief constable of Avon and Somerset police after a panel approved his selection by the police commissioner.
Marsh, a former South Bristol commander who has been chief constable at Hampshire Constabulary for the last two years, replaces Nick Gargan who was forced to resign over misconduct in office.
He was selected from three applicants by Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner Sue Mountstevens and approved on Monday night by a separate crime panel.
“I’m very excited at the prospect of working with the excellent officers, staff and volunteers of Avon and Somerset Constabulary,” Marsh said.
“It’s the force I first joined in 1987 and I’m thrilled to be returning as chief constable to help build on the excellent work that’s taken place in the intervening period since I left.
“Partnership with our communities and other service providers is an equally critical factor in successfully tackling crime, and increasingly so as the nature of that crime becomes more complex.
“Spending time with partner agencies and visiting communities across the force will be one of my early priorities.”
Ms Mountstevens added: “Andy knows and understands the communities he serves. His passion for Avon and Somerset, its people and its police force shows and I’m pleased that this has also been recognised by the Panel.
“As chief constable Andy has a clear grasp on both the challenges that today’s police service faces as well the opportunities it can bring through collaboration and stronger relationships with our partners.”
Marsh has served under Hampshire since 2010 and has been instrumental in implementing £80 million of savings, cutting 535 jobs and making the constabulary the fifth lowest cost force in the UK.
He is also an expert in police body cameras and was appointed the national policing lead for the new technology.
Marsh is due to take up his role on Monday, February 1, 2016. In the meantime temporary chief constable Gareth Morgan will continue to act up as chief constable until Marsh starts.
Gargan quit his £175,000 post in October, following a £580,000 misconduct investigation which included the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
He was asked to resign by Mountstevens after being found guilty of eight counts of misconduct in office, including storing indecent images on his work mobile phone. Gargan has now taken up a temporary role with private security firm G4S.
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
