This in from Police, in their own words. Ed
The chief constable of Hampshire Constabulary, Alex Marshall, is to leave the force to take up a position as the chief executive of the new national College of Policing.
The announcement of Mr Marshall’s appointment was made today in the House of Commons by the Home Secretary Theresa May.
Mr Marshall will retain the rank of chief constable in the role.
Leaving in early 2013
The date for Mr Marshall’s departure from Hampshire Constabulary is not yet confirmed, but is likely to be early 2013.
The selection and appointment of a new chief constable will be made by the Police and Crime Commissioner, who will be selected in a public election in November.
Speaking of his appointment, Mr Marshall said:”This appointment is a fantastic opportunity to replace bureaucracy and unnecessary policies in policing with practical, common sense approaches based on the evidence of what works.
”By the time I leave, early in 2013, we will have seen five consecutive years of crime reduction in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Over this period, anti-social behaviour has gone down and we have caught more of the serious criminals.
“When I became chief constable in 2008, I promised to focus on the clear priorities of cutting crime and ensuring frontline visibility. Despite making huge cuts in the budget, we have protected and preserved our numbers in visible local roles.
“It will be a real wrench to leave Hampshire next year. This is a place where I feel very much at home, where I have been made to feel very welcome, and where I have worked with colleagues who are highly professional and genuinely care about the people they serve.”
“Difficult decision to even consider leaving Hampshire”
Adrian Collett, chair of Hampshire Police Authority, said: “This appointment is an exciting opportunity for Mr Marshall, but we know it will have been a difficult decision to even consider leaving Hampshire.
“He has made his mark locally, regionally and nationally and we have no doubt that he is an excellent choice for this role. Our feelings are mixed however because the college’s gain is certainly our loss. Mr Marshall is extremely well regarded by all in the constabulary and members of the Police Authority.
“His notable achievements include a significant and sustained reduction in crime. He has always been committed to protecting the frontline even in the times of austerity.
“He has ensured the force is ahead of the government’s comprehensive spending review -by taking difficult but important decisions whilst maintaining force performance.
“This appointment reflects well on us here in Hampshire. As his first chief constable appointment, Hampshire has provided him with the environment to grow into a nationally respected chief officer. Mr Marshall’s new role is a crucial one in the history of policing and one we are confident he will carry out to the very best of his abilities.
“Of course, this announcement comes shortly before the election for the Police and Crime Commissioner. Clearly the PCC will be involved in appointing Mr Marshall’s replacement.”
Over-seeing the training standards for all police
As chief executive of the College of Policing, Mr Marshall will be responsible for over-seeing the training standards for all police in the UK, as the service transforms to meet the changing demands of modern policing.
Alex Marshall joined Hampshire Constabulary on October 16, 2008, having previously served with the Metropolitan Police Service, Cambridgeshire Constabulary, and Thames Valley Police, where he was deputy chief constable.
During his four years with the constabulary, Mr Marshall has led the force in delivering a significant reduction in the total number of crimes committed in the two counties, from 89.6 per 1000 of the population to 68.6 per 1000 of the population last year. Analysis so far this year shows that that number is continuing to fall.
Campaigns such as Operation Nemesis, targeting domestic burglary, have seen the numbers of burglaries committed decrease from 15.2 per 1,000 households to 6.8.
Overseen many projects
During this time, Mr Marshall has overseen the successful roll-out of mobile data technology, equipping police officers to deliver more flexibly and effectively. As part of this, Hampshire has been lauded nationally as best practice in its pioneering use of mobile fingerprinting technology.
These achievements have been made against a backdrop of being required to make significant savings as part of the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review. To date, the force has made savings totalling £38.2million pounds, whilst maintaining frontline policing strength.
Mr Marshall is also the national ACPO lead for the National Police Air Service. He received the Queen’s Police Medal in the 2009 Birthday Honours list.
