Who will apply to become new police chief?

Police bosses have admitted that there may only be “one or two” applicants to become the new chief constable of Thames Valley Police.
PCC Anthony StansfedPCC Anthony Stansfed
PCC Anthony Stansfed

This week the Citizen spoke to Anthony Stansfeld, the elected Police and Crime Commissioner who will lead the appointment process.

He said: “It is quite a small pool, with the candidates likely to be either the deputy chief constable of a major force or the chief of a smaller force.

“There might only be one or two candidates.”

Sara Thornton, Chief Constable Thames Valley Police. Kidlington, UNITED KINGDOM. July 20 2011. 
Photo Credit: CB/Thames Valley Police
© Thames Valley Police 2011. All Rights Reserved. See instructions.Sara Thornton, Chief Constable Thames Valley Police. Kidlington, UNITED KINGDOM. July 20 2011. 
Photo Credit: CB/Thames Valley Police
© Thames Valley Police 2011. All Rights Reserved. See instructions.
Sara Thornton, Chief Constable Thames Valley Police. Kidlington, UNITED KINGDOM. July 20 2011. Photo Credit: CB/Thames Valley Police © Thames Valley Police 2011. All Rights Reserved. See instructions.

Interviews will take place on March 11, ahead of current chief Sara Thornton leaving to become chairwoman of the National Police Chiefs Council.

Mr Stansfeld was previously part of the Police Authority before his current role was created, and has helped to appoint deputy and assistant chief constables in the past.

He said: “Chief constables are usually long-term appointments, at least four years, while Sara Thornton has been in the post for eight.

“Thames Valley is one of the leading forces in the country, and the new chief constable would have a lot of influence nationally.

“We want someone who is not just a very good police officer but who is very good at leading a major organisation.

“They also need to have a good knowledge of finances, to lead the force at this time of large budget reductions, on a scale which the police have not seen before, and they will need an understanding of the role technology now plays in policing.”