The second most senior officer at Northamptonshire Police is to leave the force to become chief constable at Gloucestershire Police, it has been announced.
Deputy Chief Constable Suzette Davenport was this morning confirmed as the new chief constable in Gloucestershire having served in Northamptonshire for two-and-a-half years.
She arrived at Wootton Hall in 2010, soon after chief constable Adrian Lee came to the county from the same force, Staffordshire.
DCC Davenport replaced Davina Logan, joining Northamptonshire from West Midlands Police and having previously worked for the Home
Office, Staffordshire Police, where she was assistant chief constable, and West Mercia Police, where she started her career.
For eight years, she was vice-president of the British Association for Women in Policing.
She has gone on to become the national ACPO lead on road policing.
The 49-year old was one of four candidates interviewed to head the 2,207-strong constabulary, which she will take control of on February 1.
She becomes the first female chief constable in Gloucestershire in the force’s 174-year history.
DCC Davenport said: “I am delighted and hugely proud to be joining a progressive constabulary that has a strong reputation for policing.
“This is an exciting opportunity for me to work with the new Police and Crime Commissioner at the start of a new era and to deliver first class policing services and help keep the people of Gloucestershire safe.”
Chief Constable Adrian Lee this morning offered his congratulations to his outgoing deputy. He said her departure would be a “huge loss” to Northamptonshire Police.
Mr Lee said: “I am delighted that Suzette has been appointed to the position of Chief Constable at Gloucestershire Constabulary.
“I would like to offer my congratulations to her on being appointed, although her move will be a huge loss to Northamptonshire.
“We are fortunate that we have a strong Chief Officer team and together we will continue to drive forward the performance of the Force to deliver our intention of making Northamptonshire the safest county in England.”
The outgoing chief constable of Gloucestershire also offered his congratulations.
Chief Constable Mick Matthews tweeted: “I am absolutely delighted that Suzette Davenport will be my successor as Chief. She is an excellent leader and strategist and a dear friend.”
Irene Curtis, President Elect of Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales, also offered her congratulations on the social networking site.
She said: “Congratulations Suzette on your appointment as Chief Constable of Gloucestershire. Delighted for you.”
The four candidates for the post were interviewed by a panel led by Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl.
He said: “When I became Commissioner I said we needed a Chief Constable whom, as well as having all the skills for such a challenging job, also needed to be committed to Gloucestershire. With Suzette we have that.
“Balancing public expectations with fewer resources will be our challenge.
“I am very much looking forward to working with Suzette to achieve that and to make the county an even better and safer place to live, work and enjoy.”
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