Two new Assistant Chief Constables for Cumbria

The Chair of Cumbria Police Authority, Reg Watson, has announced the appointment of two new Assistant Chief Constables for Cumbria. Cumbria's current temporary Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Skeer will take up the position on a permanent basis and Chief Superintendent Jerry Graham will transfer from Lancashire Constabulary to take up the post.

Reg Watson, Chair of Cumbria Police Authority, said: "Appointing the Constabulary's Chief Officers is one of the most important tasks for the Police Authority and we take great pride and responsibility in doing so. Cumbria Constabulary is consistently one of the highest performing police forces in the country with officers and staff that are second to none.As a consequence, the Police Authority has been able to attract a field of high quality applicants for the two Assistant Chief Constable posts."

Chief Superintendent Jerry Graham joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1985 where he rose through the ranks in both uniform and detective roles. Speaking about his new role, Chief Superintendent Graham, said: "I feel privileged to be joining such a high performing Constabulary in such a beautiful part of the country."

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Skeer was brought up in Carlisle and has served with Cumbria Constabulary for nineteen years. In 1990 she began working in West Cumbria in uniform operational posts before taking up criminal investigation early in service. In March 2009 Michelle was appointed Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Crime for Cumbria. Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Skeer said: "Working as part of Cumbria Constabulary has always been exciting and challenging so I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as Assistant Chief Constable."

Chief Constable Craig Mackey added: "I am pleased to welcome Jerry and Michelle to the team and look forward to working closely with them in the future to build on our current
performance."