Deputy Chief Constable appointed temporary Chief Constable of Cumbria Constabulary

The Police Authority has appointed Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hyde as temporary Chief Constable of Cumbria Constabulary.

After meeting on Friday 13 January, the Police Authority decided to offer Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hyde the Chief Constable position on a temporary basis until August 2013. DCC Hyde has accepted this post and, as a result, has withdrawn his application for the role of Chief Constable for South Yorkshire Police.

DCC Stuart Hyde will replace Chief Constable Craig Mackey on 23 January 2012 when Mr Mackey will assume the role of Deputy Commissioner for the Metropolitan police.

When the Deputy Chief Constable takes on his new role later this month, Assistant Chief Constables Michelle Skeer and Jerry Graham will split the temporary Deputy Chief Constable post between them, taking it in turns to fill the position until August 2013. ACC Jerry Graham will take up the role of temporary Deputy Chief Constable at the end of January until the end of October 2012.

The Police Authority has decided to leave the remaining Assistant Chief Constable post vacant at this time due to the organisation’s reduced budget and internal staffing reviews that are ongoing.

Police Authority Chairman Ray Cole said: “Since his appointment as Chief Constable in 2007, Craig’s hard work, dedication and leadership has steered the Constabulary through some extremely challenging times.

“As well as guiding us through some of the most tragic incidents experienced in British policing, he has also helped to improve the Constabulary’s performance year on year, leaving Cumbria with crime and anti-social behaviour levels that are among the lowest in the country.

“The Chief Officer Group is strong and I’m confident that the team, led by Stuart, will continue this hard work. We are fortunate to have two experienced Assistant Chief Constables who are dedicated to making Cumbria safer. The Authority has decided to build on their skills and experience and ensure continuity within the Chief Officer Team by offering them both the opportunity to act as temporary Deputy Chief Constable for a nine month period. We have decided to keep one of the Assistant Chief Constable posts vacant at this time but this will be reviewed on a regular basis.

“I know I speak for the whole Authority when I say that we will be very sorry to see Craig leave but look forward to working alongside Stuart Hyde to build upon Cumbria Constabulary’s successes.”

Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hyde said: “I am delighted to be offered this position and look forward to beginning a new and challenging role.

“The Chief Officer Team has been working together for three years and will build on our successes. My priority will continue to be ensuring that Cumbria remains safe and that we deliver the best policing service we can afford.”