SUFFOLK formally appointed its new Chief Constable today.

Douglas Paxton’s appointment was confirmed by the Police and Crime Panel at a meeting at Suffolk County Council’s Endeavour House.

Mr Paxton will take up his post on March 4.

Simon Ash, the current Chief Constable, is due to retire on February 18.

Mr Paxton, currently the Deputy Chief Constable of Staffordshire Constabulary is returning to Suffolk where he served for 12 years. He joined the county’s police force in 1989 and rose to the rank of Superintendent, serving as Deputy Area Commander for the west of Suffolk.

The 47-year-old moved to West Midlands Police in 2002 where, for three years, he was in charge of a large division in Birmingham city centre.

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore, who asked the Police and Crime Panel to ratify his preferred candidate, said, “I am very pleased to welcome Douglas Paxton as the next Chief Constable for Suffolk.

“Douglas impressed us with his sound knowledge of the county and all its different communities and businesses. His innovative approach to policing and partnership working will be particularly important as we work more closely with partners to get the very best value for the council tax payer.

“I look forward to working with Douglas to devise Suffolk’s long-term plan for policing over the next five to six years, in line with my Police and Crime Plan.”

Mr Paxton said, “I feel very honoured and delighted to be returning to the force I joined as a new recruit 24 years ago.

“I share a strong affinity with Suffolk and its people having spent 12 very happy and formative years of my early career serving its communities.

“I look forward to working with Commissioner Passmore and I’m determined to build on the positive legacy and leadership of Chief Constable Simon Ash to make Suffolk an even safer place to live, work and visit.”

Suffolk’s Deputy Chief Constable Paul Marshall which head the county’s police force after Mr Ash’s retirement until Mr Paxton takes over the reins on March 4.