THE appointment of the next Chief Constable for Avon and Somerset, Andy Marsh, has been approved by the Police and Crime Panel.

Andy Marsh, Chief Constable of Hampshire Constabulary, was put forward as the preferred candidate following a two-day interview process headed by Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens last week.

Mr Marsh, who began his policing career in Avon and Somerset in 1987, is an experienced chief officer who has held senior posts in Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire.

As well as being a former area commander of South Bristol and East Somerset he also has operational and detective experience. He is also the national lead for a number of areas of policing including IT procurement and body-worn video cameras.

Sue Mountstevens said: “Andy knows and understands the communities he serves. His passion for Avon and Somerset, its people and its police force shows.”

Mr Marsh is set to take up his role on February 1, 2016. In the meantime temporary Chief Constable Gareth Morgan will continue to act up as Chief Constable.