ESSEX Police has a new chief constable.Chief Constable Jim Barker-McCardle was appointed on Tuesday July 21 and will take up the position as soon as possible.The announcement follows a thorough selection process, which ended on Tuesday with an interview

ESSEX Police has a new chief constable.

Chief Constable Jim Barker-McCardle was appointed on Tuesday July 21 and will take up the position as soon as possible.

The announcement follows a thorough selection process, which ended on Tuesday with an interview with Essex Police Authority's selection panel.

Chairman of the authority, Robert Chambers, said: "I am delighted that Mr Barker-McCardle will be joining Essex Police. I am looking forward to working with him to continue to provide the people of Essex with an excellent police service."

Chief Con Barker-McCardle, 48, joined Kent police in 1981 and served throughout the county in a number of uniform and detective roles. He was appointed as assistant chief constable in Kent in 1999.

He was appointed deputy chief constable in March 2004 and was involved in the early stages of the collaboration programme between Essex Police and Kent Police.

In November 2007 he transferred to the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) as deputy chief constable and deputy chief executive.

Delighted at his latest promotion, Chief Con Barker-McCardle said: "I am proud to have been appointed as Chief Constable for Essex Police.

"I am very much looking forward to working with Essex Police Authority, Essex Police officers and staff, and of course the people of Essex to continue to make the county even safer.