Joanne Hall has been appointed as Assistant Chief of the Avon and Somerset Police Force. ACC Hall has 22 years of experience in policing and first joined South Wales Police in a staff role before becoming a police constable in 1999, where she patrolled Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan.

In 2001 she transferred to Devon and Cornwall Police where her work focussed mainly in investigations. She was the public face of the police operation during the meeting of G7 country leaders in Cornwall.

ACC Hall said: “My roots are firmly in the West Country and I’m delighted to be continuing my policing career in the South West.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Avon and Somerset – I feel aligned to the organisation’s values of being caring, courageous, inclusive and learning. I want to look after people and ethics, integrity and standards are really important to me.

“My first impressions are that this is an incredibly welcoming and forward-thinking police service. I can’t wait to get started.”

ACC Hall will take on the Investigations and operations support portfolios for Avon and Somerset, and will be the force lead for violence against women and girls.

Chief Constable Sarah Crew said: “I’m delighted to have Jo join our team here at Avon and Somerset. She brings with her a passion for policing, values that align with our own and some very relevant experience."

“She will also bring a fresh perspective and I have no doubt she will help us speed all the more quickly towards our ambition for outstanding policing for everyone.”