Suffolk has a new Chief Constable, subject to the appointment being confirmed by the Police and Crime Panel on Friday, February 8.

Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore and an appointments panel, selected Douglas Paxton as the next Chief Constable following a rigorous process of interviews and tests on Tuesday, January 29.

Once the move is rubber stamped it will mean the new Chief Constable will be returning to his policing roots.

Currently Deputy Chief Constable of Staffordshire Mr Paxton served in Suffolk for 13 years.

He joined the county's force in 1989 and rose to the rank of Superintendent, serving as deputy area commander for the west of Suffolk.

He moved to West Midlands Police in 2002 where, for three years, he was in charge of a large division in Birmingham city centre which included a match commander's role at Aston Villa.

Mr Paxton joined the Staffordshire force in April 2007.

Looking forward to next week's appointment Mr Passmore said, 'I am very pleased to propose Douglas Paxton as the next Chief Constable of Suffolk.

'This was a unanimous decision by the panel.

'Douglas was a strong candidate, and impressed us with his sound knowledge of Suffolk and all its different communities and businesses.

'He has a track record of an innovative approach to policing and partnership working.

'Douglas has given a long-term commitment to Suffolk, which is particularly important as we devise our long-term plan for the next five to six years, in line with our newly published police and crime plan.'

The appointment panel was made up of Tim Passmore, Paul Winter - CEO of Ipswich Building Society, Tom Garland from the College of Policing and Di Newton, an independent member of the panel.

Next week's appointment follows an announcement in November by Chief Constable Simon Ash that he was retiring after five years at the top post.

The appointment panel for the next police chief was made up of Tim Passmore, Paul Winter - CEO of Ipswich Building Society, Tom Garland from the College of Policing and Di Newton, an independent member of the panel.

The Police and Crime Panel's Chief Constable confirmation hearing, which is a public meeting, will be held at Endeavour House in Ipswich at 1.30pm on Friday, February 8.