ROD Hansen, who had been the acting chief constable at Gloucestershire Police, has been given a permanent post.

Mr Hansen, 51, stepped up to the role after Suzette Davenport retired in April. On Monday, he was selected by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl for the permanent post following a testing recruitment process over two days.

Mr Surl said: “I am delighted the Police and Crime Panel supported my recommendation that Rod is the right man to provide Gloucestershire Constabulary with stability and vision for the foreseeable future, leading a proud Force that is committed to delivering the Police and Crime Plan and giving strong leadership.

“He demonstrated outstanding qualities throughout a very rigorous recruitment process which was conducted fairly and openly and included a staff engagement forum, a testing media exercise, presentation to the Commissioner’s Forum and a formal interview which was overseen by an independent representative of the National Police College.

“I have seen how Rod has performed as Temporary Chief following Suzette Davenport’s retirement and while we could not judge him on this alone, I have no doubt his leadership skills and intellectual capabilities were why he had the field all to himself."

Rod Hansen started his career at Avon and Somerset Constabulary in September 1988 in Chipping Sodbury. During his time with the force, he covered a variety of roles from patrol inspector in central Bristol to district commander for Bath and North East Somerset.

He joined Gloucestershire Constabulary as Deputy Chief Constable in May 2013 and in May 2017 took over as Chief Constable. He has been a hostage negotiator since 1998 and is the senior the civilian police advisor to the military capability at Joint Force Headquarters.

Rod is also the current police service lead for mounted policing and the police dog sections.

He said: “It is a privilege to serve the public and a particular privilege to do so as a police officer. I remain determined to help stabilise the organisation in testing times, ensure the constabulary stays locally connected to its communities and prepares itself to embrace a highly digitised society.

“I am delighted to be able to continue to work alongside such a supportive county and such magnificence men and women who put themselves in harm’s way every day."