Jim Barker-McCardle has been appointed as the new Chief Constable of Essex.
The Echo reports on it here and the Police Authority’s own website covers it here.
With a name like “Barker-McCardle” it’s pretty easy to Google him.
The Guardian interviewed him in 2000:
On leaving school in 1981 with three A levels, Jim Barker-McCardle headed straight for his local police station. “I wanted to work in public service and policing also seemed like a job with limitless variety.”
The Buzz? “When carefully-laid plans come off and operational successes make a real difference on the streets.”
The Times Crime Central Blog has:
You might forgive Jim Barker-McCardle for feeling a little bit like Stewart Cink – succeeding in a competition that ended up as a bit of an anti-climax.
He was one of three people to apply for the post of Chief Constable in Essex but when the other two withdrew he was left as the only applicant in the selection process on Tuesday. He was duly selected, presumably having done enough to persuade the police authority he was the man for the job.
But questions remain about why such a significant policing job should attract only one serious candidate.
He has also notably had some praise from the Kent Police Federation (the body that represents the ordinary copper):
….Sir, earlier this year Mr Barker-McCardle launched a project. This has now become Project Blueprint – a project to engage with the Force, establish a vision – establish what we stand for, return the focus of our efforts to a quality of service. Re-create a team mentality – The Blue Team. He has spoken with great passion and commitment. An outside consultant was employed and some of you will have taken part in the focus groups held around the force.
Sir, we welcome this work – it is work that is long overdue….