Interim chief appointed at Gloucestershire Police

Maggie Blyth has been named at the new interim Chief Constable.

A new interim chief constable has been appointed at Gloucestershire Police, after the suspension of its former leader.

Maggie Blyth is being seconded from the College of Policing and will begin the role on Tuesday. It is only the second time in the Constabulary’s 185-year history that a woman has been at the helm.

It follows the suspension of Rod Hansen after allegations of gross misconduct.

Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson said: "Bringing in someone as nationally respected as Maggie Blyth is very good news for the county”.

Gloucestershire Police will have been without a chief or a deputy for a fortnight by the time she begins the role.

Shaun West, the former Deputy Chief Constable retired in the summer amidst a criminal investigation and misconduct allegations - which he denies.

Former Gloucestershire Deputy Chief Constable Shaun West denies misconduct allegations

Ms Blyth said: "It is an honour to be leading Gloucestershire Constabulary, the oldest county force in the country, with officers and staff who exemplify what it means to be a public servant."

She started her career in the probation service before going on to specialise in youth justice.

From 2006 to 2016 she worked for local government child protection services, where she had senior oversight of child protection arrangements, and worked on a number of high profile child sexual exploitation and domestic homicide operations.

She was promoted to assistant chief constable in May 2019, overseeing local policing and public protection across Hampshire.

Chris Nelson said despite being seconded to work for Gloucestershire Police, Ms Blyth will will continue her role as the national police lead tackling male violence against women and girls (VAWG).