A POLICE force's temporary chief constable has been given the job on a permanent basis.

Members of the Cleveland Police and Crime Panel unanimously voted to accept Jacqui Cheer’s appointment.

After spending 18 months as the force’s Temporary Chief Constable Mrs Cheer has taken over the role after impressing the new Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger.

The Northern Echo: Jacqui Cheer

Tonight (Tuesday), members of the panel took the opportunity to grill the experienced officer on her plans for the future development of the force before approving her appointment.

Independent panel member Geoff Baines asked the incumbent chief constable what she felt were the most pressing issues she would face in the permanent role.

She said there were two issues that she had identified as key tasks to tackle in the coming years – managing the loss of officer numbers and restoring the force’s tarnished image.

“This is an excellent force, these are some of the hardest working officers I have ever come across and we need to get that message out to the public,” she said.

“I know that we have some real challenges ahead with the ongoing financial pressures and our change programme, but I am confident that we will continue to deliver an excellent policing service to the communities in Cleveland.”

Speaking after the appointment Mr Coppinger said: “This really does mark an important step forward in putting the Force on the firm footing we need to move forward.

"Mrs Cheer understands that, as far as I am concerned her key task has to be continuing to drive down crime, she is committed to integrity and professional standards and fully supports my top priority of retaining and developing Neighbourhood Policing as the bedrock of our service to the public.”

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