Nick Dean: Cambridgeshire Police confirm appointment of new 'visionary' Chief Constable

Cambridgeshire Police have appointed Norfolk Deputy Chief Constable Nick Dean as their Chief Constable.

Mr Dean was recommended for the job by Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner Jason Ablewhite, but the appointment still had to be ratified by the Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Panel.

The panel have now endorsed Mr Ablewhite's choice, meaning that Mr Dean will start work at the end of September.

He will replace outgoing Chief Constable Alec Wood who is retiring.

“I am delighted to be able to appoint Nick Dean as the new Chief Constable for Cambridgeshire," Mr Ablewhite said.

“When I set out on this process, it was important that I recruited a Chief Officer who could bring the vision, determination and resilience required to lead the Constabulary. Nick performed very well throughout the whole assessment process and demonstrated great leadership skills.

“As a visionary Chief Constable, Nick will build on the excellent work undertaken by his predecessor, Alec Wood, to continuously innovate and improve the quality of the county’s police service whilst also protecting our communities and meeting public expectations. His energy and passion will help us meet the challenges ahead.”

Mr Dean, who has been with Norfolk Police since 1992, said that the opportunity was too good to turn down.

“It is a privilege to be appointed the next Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire," he said.

"Throughout the process I have been made to feel welcome and look forward to building on the leadership provided by Alec Wood over the past few years.

"It is both an exciting and challenging opportunity and one which I am really looking forward to. Cambridgeshire is an excellent force and although sorry to leave Norfolk, I am know that I am inheriting a professional and committed organisation who have the communities of Cambridgeshire in their hearts.”