Division changes at Kent
Wednesday, 10 August, 2011
To support Kent Police's new police model three divisions will replace the existing six areas. The three policing divisions will be East, West and North and Medway. This will also see a shift of some of the current area commanders to new posts within the organisation's new structure, and marks a slimming-down of management posts across the force.
Heading the new divisions will be Chief Superintendent Mark Nottage at East, Chief Superintendent Matthew Nix at West, and Chief Superintendent Neil Jerome at North and Medway.
Chief Constable Ian Learmonth said: 'The planning for the implementation of the new model is now well underway, and it will 'go live' on 16 November. As part of the restructuring plan for the force, we will have three divisions, led by Chief Superintendents. Localpolicing is at the heart of the new model and there will be a significant increase in neighbourhood constables and sergeants across the county.
Police attendance will be centrally managed so the nearest, most appropriate officer will be sent to an emergency call irrespective of divisional or district boundaries - this will enable the force to provide the fastest and most efficient response.'
Although the new model will 'go-live' in November 2011, the new divisional commanders are in post now to support the implementation programme.
Chief Superintendent Mark Nottage, currently the area commander of East Kent, will head the new East Division. The current South Kent Area Commander Tim Smith, will become the new divisional deputy commander. Chief Superintendent Matthew Nix is currently the Area Commander at Mid Kent, and will remain based at Maidstone to head the new West Division. Chief Superintendent Neil Jerome moves into his new post at Medway & North Division, having previously headed the Partnership and Crime Reduction department for Kent Police.
The current North Kent Chief Superintendent, Mark Powell, has moved to take up a secondment post with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). Chief Superintendent Steve Corbishley, Area Commander at Medway, has moved to head up the headquarters based Partnership and Crime Reduction department.
