EFFECTIVE policing is key to helping Suffolk’s economy.

That was the claim by the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore after Douglas Paxton was named the new Chief Constable for Suffolk, subject to approval by the Police and Crime Panel next week.

Mr Paxton is currently deputy Chief Constable of Staffordshire having previously worked for Suffolk Police for 13 years from 1989.

Mr Passmore said Mr Paxton, who has a degree in economics, had a wide set of interests and understood strong policing was linked to a healthy economy.

“Good policing affects everybody,” he said. “Mr Paxton understands how good policing can enhance Suffolk for people to live, work and visit which in turn helps the whole economy.”

He said Mr Paxton had studied the Police and Crime Plan and was very much on board with the initiatives that have been set out.

“He is very happy to look at innovative ways of policing, not just in terms of technology, but learning lessons from other forces from home and overseas,” he added.

“He is also keen to develop partnerships with the private and voluntary sectors and long-term planning looking at how we want things to be not just in the next year but in the next five to six years.”

Mr Paxton was selected by Mr Passmore and an appointment panel made up of Paul Winter - CEO of Ipswich Building Society, Tom Garland from the College of Policing and independent panel member, Di Newton, following a series of interviews and tests on Tuesday.

During his time at Suffolk Constabulary Mr Paxton rose to the rank of Superintendent, serving as Deputy Area Commander for the west of Suffolk.

He then moved to West Midlands Police in 2002 where, for three years, he was in charge of a large division in Birmingham city centre which included a match commander’s role at Aston Villa. He joined Staffordshire in April 2007.

Mr Paxton’s appointment panel was made up of

The Police and Crime Panel’s Chief Constable Confirmation Hearing, which is a public meeting, will be held at Endeavour House at 1.30pm on February 8.