Commissioner extends Chief Constable’s contract

Cambridgeshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Sir Graham Bright, has extended Chief Constable Simon Parr’s contract to provide ‘stability of quality leadership’ for policing in Cambridgeshire.

Sir Graham asked the Chief Constable to agree to an extension of his original five year contract by 15 months to continue to provide effective leadership to the Cambridgeshire force until December 2016.

The extension allows for a six month recruitment period of a new Chief Constable following the next police and crime commissioner elections in May 2016.

Sir Graham Bright said: “I have really enjoyed working with the Chief Constable since I took up post in November. I have been impressed with his plans to ensure the force thrives during the difficult financial times ahead.

“I was elected to ensure an effective and efficient police service in Cambridgeshire and I firmly believe that extending the chief constable’s contract past the election will provide the stability of quality leadership required to do that.

“I am delighted that the Chief Constable has agreed to stay to drive forward our plans for Cambridgeshire. This cements our commitment to work effectively in partnership to serve the people of Cambridgeshire.”

Chief Constable Simon Parr said: “I relish the opportunity to continue to lead us on the challenging journey of reducing budgets while keeping people safe and reducing crime, for 15 months longer than I expected.

“I will use the extra time the Commissioner has given me to continue my ongoing work with partners, in the county and across policing, to develop new and innovative ways of working that will keep officers out on the streets for more of their time and improve public access to services and information, making us more efficient and effective as an organisation and more responsive to the needs of the people we serve.

“I look forward to doing this together with every officer and member of staff who is as proud as I am to serve Cambridgeshire Constabulary.”

Further details relating to the benefits and costs of this decision are available here