ESSEX Police has appointed a new chief constable following the retirement of its controversial boss Roger Baker.

Roddy Ashworth

ESSEX Police has appointed a new Chief Constable following the retirement of its controversial boss Roger Baker.

The force announced today that Jim Barker-McCardle had been given the job after a thorough selection process, which ended on Tuesday with an interview with the police authority's selection panel.

Originally from Southend, Mr Barker-McCardle will take up his new position as soon as possible

Mr Barker-McCardle's appointment comes after Mr Baker announced his early retirement in March of this year for personal reasons.

Mr Baker, who caused controversy with his non-nonsense approach to criminals and his insistence that every reported crime in Essex be investigated, left the force on July 6 for personal reasons.

Since leaving, Essex Police Deputy Chief Constable Andy Bliss has been covering Mr Baker's duties.