Thursday 14 June 2007 - 249

DEVINE AND VALENTINE TAKE ASSISTANT CHIEF CONSTABLE POSTS

Hertfordshire Police Authority has appointed two new Assistant Chief Constables (ACCs) – Metropolitan Police borough commander Heather Valentine and Hertfordshire’s current Acting Assistant Chief Constable, Steve Devine.

Their appointments follow the promotion of ACC Simon Parr to the post of Deputy Chief Constable in May and the departure of ACC Rob Beckley, who was appointed Deputy Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset earlier in the year.

Chair of Hertfordshire Police Authority, Ian Laidlaw-Dickson, said: “The appointment process is extremely rigorous, and this proved to be a closely fought contest between a strong field of candidates. We are delighted with the result and our congratulations go to Heather and Steve.

“Their skills, knowledge and strengths will complement the existing chief officer team and bring both experience and a fresh take on the challenges and demands that we will all face in the future.”

Steve joined Hertfordshire in 2002 as Superintendent, having previously served in the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). During his time at the MPS, Steve served as Senior Investigating Officer on murder squads for four years. He served mostly in the east and north of London, including Kings Cross, Tottenham and Stratford.

Steve said: “Working in Hertfordshire Constabulary has been the best five years of my policing career. The staff are enthusiastic and dedicated and I have been privileged to work with such a good team. I am absolutely delighted that I will be continuing to work for the people of Hertfordshire and with their excellent Police Authority. It's a great county, filled with great communities and protecting them is the best job I can imagine.”

Before joining the police service, Steve spent seven years teaching Biology at a school in the centre of Belfast. During his time at Hertfordshire, he has performed a variety of roles, including Deputy Area Commander, Head of Serious and Organised Crime and Director of Performance. He also headed up Operation Crystal, the Constabulary’s successful campaign to tackle drug trafficking. He currently has responsibility for the three policing Areas, Force Operational Performance and Force Tasking and Co-ordination.

Steve has been married to Rosie for 19 years and has two sons, Conor and Aodhan.

Heather Valentine has spent the last 28 years with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), working initially for Barnet Division which, at that time, covered the southern part of Hertfordshire. She served in both CID and uniform roles before heading up the Stephen Lawrence Review Team for the MPS. Other posts include Head of Operations for Ealing and Action, Head of Training and, more recently, borough commander for Hammersmith and Fulham, which includes overseeing policing of football events at three major clubs (Chelsea, Fulham and QPR).

“I am absolutely delighted to have been selected to serve as part of the Hertfordshire Constabulary team,” said Heather. “I grew up in Hertfordshire and lived in the county for many years, starting my early police career there when parts of the county were within the Met. I am very much looking forward to returning to the county and to contributing to the superb work being undertaken across the Force.”

Heather lives in Harrow and has two sons, aged 12 and 15.

Chief Constable Frank Whiteley said: "These are very good appointments for Hertfordshire - providing both a degree of continuity and inside knowledge as well as the benefits of an outside perspective from another force. I would like to congratulate Heather and Steve for their success in what was a testing selection process with very high quality applicants. "

Herts Beat 2008
Central Area

Herts Beat 2008
Western Area