HERTS police have appointed assistant chief constable Simon Parr to the position of deputy chief constable. He will take over from Simon Ash, who has become chief constable of Norfolk. Chief Constable Frank Whiteley said that Mr Parr s considerable skill

HERTS police have appointed assistant chief constable Simon Parr to the position of deputy chief constable.

He will take over from Simon Ash, who has become chief constable of Norfolk.

Chief Constable Frank Whiteley said that Mr Parr's "considerable skills and his contribution to the development of policing in Herts have been recognised and rewarded".

Mr Parr joined Herts police as assistant chief constable in January 2004 after spending the previous 20 year with Sussex police.

He recently took over responsibility for corporate services which included human resources, organisational planning and development and professional standards.

Previously he was in charge of operational support and played a key role in the management of major incidents when he was involved in the police response to the Buncefield explosion.

He said he was "delighted" to be given the opportunity to serve Herts police as deputy chief constable.

Ian Laidlaw-Dickson, chairman of the Herts Police Authority, said that during the two-day interview process the panel was impressed by his "strengths, skills and enthusiasm".

- The Herts Police Authority has re-appointed Ian Laidlaw-Dickson as chairman.

He has been with the authority from the time it was set-up in 1995 and became chairman in 2003.