Humberside poised to appoint
its first female chief constable

Chief Constable of Tayside Police in Scotland Justine Curran was on a shortlist of three interviewed by a panel chaired by new police commissioner Matthew Grove, which unanimously voted in her favour.

Her appointment has still to be confirmed at a meeting of the police and crime panel on February 15.

The 45-year-old will replace outgoing chief constable Tim Hollis who will retire in March. No other female police officer has yet made it above chief superintendent rank in the force.

Police commissioner Matthew Grove said: “I always said this would be the most significant decision I would make. I am delighted to have secured the services of an outstanding leader with a proven track record.”

Chairman of Humberside Police Federation John Blanchard said: “She was clearly one of a number of exceptional candidates and we look forward to working with her. We are in times of unprecedented changes, we have massive savings to make. Mr Hollis will be a very tough act to follow; he has been very good for this force.

“I think she would do well to take stock of all the good things going on in Humberside and from there seek to develop and improve this.”

Sheffield-born Ms Curran served as an officer in Greater Manchester, which she joined in 1988, and Merseyside, before becoming Tayside’s chief constable in 2009.

Ms Curran said: “I am delighted to be put forward as the new chief constable of Humberside Police. I look forward to moving to the area with my family and getting down to work in this important and challenging role.”

Her partner Gordon Meldrum was appointed director designate of the organised crime command at the new National Crime Agency earlier this month.