Hope you all had a good Easter and didn’t eat too much chocolate. I’m currently trying to lose some weight, so I managed to abstain.

I enjoyed a few days off seeing family including my beautiful new baby grandaughter.

That is now two grandchildren. Being a grandad is just brilliant and I am absolutely chuffed as punch.

This week we held another Q & A session on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/durhamconstabulary. We had a terrific response with nearly 10,000 people joining us live on the night.

The next one is planned for 6pm to 7pm on Wednesday, May 6.

Here are a few questions that people asked and my answers:

Megan Oliver: “Where do you see Durham constabulary in 10 years’ time?”

Mike Barton: "Well, where do I see Durham in 10 years’ time? Probably slightly above North Yorkshire, slightly below Northumberland, with the North Sea to your right if you're looking north, or have you information about tectonic plate movement of which I am unaware?!.....seriously, the public will still need access to a police force and it will still be delivered locally by people you know, in the best traditions of the British policing model which is seen as the blue-ribboned service internationally.

"National capability such as tackling international/serious and organised criminals might be done differently. Durham Constabulary’s medium term financial plan guarantees we have a future which will continue to deliver excellent policing. Please visit the HMIC website for more info on how well Durham are doing."

Sarah Kinghorn: "In your whole career what incident have you dealt with that stands out the most and why?."

Mike Barton: "Hi Sarah. It's not serious and it is not earth-shattering, but in 1982, as a young cop, I sat in the bedroom of a confused and angry young man, listening to him. His mam recently remarried and was at her wits end.

"A year later, his mam sent me a card saying that her son was now a happy, young man and she had noticed the change after I had given him some of my time and sympathetic ear.

"I often wonder where he is now and I am quietly proud of the little thing I did to help him be less angry. Police officers reading this blog will recognise this as police work rather than the sexy hyped-up stuff that half-hour dramas on TV need."

Claire Leckenby: "What's your favourite scary movie?!"

Mike Barton: "Hi Claire. I don't like scary movies! I don't find them entertaining. However, Don't Look Now, from 1973, is chilling."

Claire Leckenby: "Oh I'll have to have a watch of that one! Keep up the good work!"

Malcolm Lear: "Mr Barton, I am a retired Durham Constabulary officer, extremely proud of my service and that of other members of my family.

"My issue concerns the present police uniform. At it's very best it is scruffy and somewhat paramilitary.

"Call me old fashioned but a smart uniform portrays discipline and goes someway to earning respect.

"I accept finance is probably behind the purchase of this uniform , however have you or will you consider changing it, even re introducing white shirts?"

Mike Barton: "Hi Malcolm, thank you for this question. I think I am in your camp but some of my colleagues on the frontline wanted a uniform that sits more comfortably under body armour and with the amount of equipment officers now carry.

"But I am regularly having conversations within the force about the need for us to look the part.

"Paradoxically the new uniform is sometimes more expensive than the old one but the cost of the old tunic, a tailored garment, was significant and I believe was a major part of the decision to replace it."