CUMBRIA'S Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes has announced that he will be starting the recruitment for a new permanent Chief Constable.

The post of Chief Constable has been advertised today and it is expected that the new Chief Constable will be in post from 1 August 2014.

The process includes a confirmatory hearing with the Police and Crime Panel.

Mr Rhodes said: “I am pleased to be starting the search for a permanent new Chief Constable for Cumbria and welcome applications from across the police service.

“The role of Chief Constable is incredibly important and it is vital that the successful candidate has the correct skills to maintain the good performance that the Constabulary has become recognised for over the years.

“The new Chief Constable will face some challenges especially as the Constabulary still has a further financial savings to be made by 2015/16. Despite the financial picture the new Chief Constable will be supported by the strong communities within Cumbria including dedicated and hard-working officers and staff.

“I expect to be able to give an indication of my preferred candidate by the end of April and this indication will go forward to the Police and Crime Panel for a confirmatory hearing. The successful candidate will start as Chief Constable from 1 August 2014.”

Commenting on the announcement that Temporary Chief Constable Bernard Lawson will be retiring at the end of July, Police and Crime Commissioner, Mr Rhodes added: “There will be opportunities before the end of July to thank Temporary Chief Constable Bernard Lawson in greater detail.

“In the meantime, I wanted to thank him for the consistency and continuity that he has provided the Constabulary at a time of on-going change. I am grateful that Mr Lawson was able came to Cumbria at quick notice and he has been pivotal in keeping Cumbria a safe place.”