A permanent chief constable will be appointed as soon as possible, Devon and Cornwall's new police and crime commissioner said today as he began his first official day in office.
Deputy Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer has been filling the top job on a temporary basis for the last eight months following the departure of Stephen Otter.
Tony Hogg has made a permanent appointment a priority in order to help drive forward the decisions that will be needed in producing the area's first police and crime plan. The post will be advertised in the next few days with the aim of making an appointment early next year.
Mr Hogg said: "The chief constable will be pivotal in ensuring that the strategic vision to tackle crime in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is carried out day-to-day.
"I believe that my role as commissioner and that of the chief constable has to be to provide strong leadership and work as a team. That relationship is key to serving people in this area and we will only achieve our aims by working closely together.
"I have met with temporary Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer and we have agreed that it is in everyone's interests that a permanent appointment is made at the earliest possible opportunity.
"Whoever takes up the role will be working with me to ensure that local people feel connected with the priorities of their police force."
The Devon and Cornwall Police Authority, which is being replaced by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, ceased to exist at midnight last night.
Mr Hogg will be meeting with staff, local authorities and members of the public over the coming months as he looks to publish the police and crime plan by March 2013.
"Today is my first day of office, and not everything can be decided overnight," he added. "There are many challenges ahead, and in order to meet them we need solid foundations to be in place, such as the appointment of a chief constable.
"We have a strong police force, with dedicated staff, and I'm confident we can address the challenges we're facing by working together."
