DURHAM Police have overhauled their corporate development by enlisting a new head of department.

Superintendent Derek Hall, who worked as divisional commander at Sedgefield for four years, will be head of the department that monitors demands and changes in the country.

Starting this month, departments and divisions will be working to business plans rather than to traditional methods.

The plans will set out how the police intend to support divisions nationally, locally and regionally.

"The role of corporate development is to oversee these plans and offer advice on them," said Supt Hall.

The former head of corporate development, Supterintendent Robin Trounson, is the new divisional commander for Wear and Tees.

Supt Hall's former Newton Aycliffe post is now occupied by Supterintendent Paul Tinkler.

Changes are also under way for other departments in the force.

The old complaints and discrimination branch has become the professional standards and legal service, while the criminal justice department has been renamed community justice.

The force also plans to introduce a system for recording organisational complaints.