Northumbria Police Authority appoints new Chief Constable

Northumbria Police Authority has appointed Sue Sim as its new Chief Constable.

She is the first female Chief Constable to be appointed to lead Northumbria Police and is currently the only female Chief Constable of a metropolitan police force.

Sue Sim, who is currently the Temporary Chief Constable of Northumbria Police, was appointed today, Wednesday, 20 April following interviews at Gateshead Civic Centre.

Councillor Mick Henry, Chair of Northumbria Police Authority, said: "Our task in selecting a new Chief Constable was a difficult one. But I feel the Police Authority has chosen the ideal person to lead Northumbria Police following a thorough and robust process involving two other excellent candidates who were interviewed on the day.

"We are facing a challenging financial outlook, and we needed a confident, dynamic and innovative individual who will seize the opportunity of leading one of the best forces in the country through a programme of change.

"We know Sue Sim is a highly capable, widely respected and experienced police officer and her obvious skills and expertise will enable us to face the challenges ahead, whilst still fighting crime and disorder and anti-social behaviour.

"The Police Authority was particularly impressed with her commitment to protecting frontline policing across Northumbria and delivering police services local people want."

Sue Sim said on her appointment: "I am very proud and honoured to have been chosen. Northumbria Police is one of the best performing forces in the country and I am determined that we will continue to reduce crime and protect police services that local communities across Northumbria want, despite the tough financial cuts."

Sue Sim has been Temporary Chief Constable of Northumbria Police since April 2010 when Mike Craik, the former Chief Constable, retired. She began her police career in Merseyside and after 19 years moved to Northumbria to take up the role of Assistant Chief Constable. She was appointed as Deputy Chief Constable at Northumbria in July 2008.

Sue Sim has held positions in both uniform and criminal investigation roles. Amongst her duties, she has been Area Commander in South Sefton and was operational commander for two Grand Nationals. In Merseyside she was also responsible for the introduction of the Crime and Disorder Act and became the head of Community Relations with responsibility for implementing the Race Equality Scheme.

Sue Sim is the ACPO lead for Public Order and Public Safety. She was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in the 2010 New Year Honours List.

She will take up her appointment with immediate effect.