Candidate chosen to be chief constable of Northamptonshire Police

The Deputy Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police has been named as the chosen candidate to take over at the helm of Northamptonshire Police
Simon Edens has been nominated as the new chief constable of Northamptonshire PoliceSimon Edens has been nominated as the new chief constable of Northamptonshire Police
Simon Edens has been nominated as the new chief constable of Northamptonshire Police

Simon Edens, who has also worked as an assistant chief constable at West Mercia Police. has been nominated by Police and Crime Commissioner, Adam Simmonds, subject to final confirmation by the Police and Crime Panel (PCP) on July 8.

Mr Edens, who has been offered a five-year contract subject to the PCP’s approval, will take over from Chief Constable Adrian Lee, who has been running the Force since October 2009. Mr Lee will retire, after completion of his 30 years service, in mid-July.

The appointment comes after an intensive assessment process which included a “question time” event – the first time it has ever been trialled by a UK police force - in which officers and staff were able to put questions to the four shortlisted candidates.

Mr Simmonds said: “The process for recruiting and selecting the next Chief Constable for Northamptonshire has been demanding for all the candidates.

“They were assessed and tested and interviewed more than once and all staff and officers given the opportunity to meet them in a pioneering ‘question time’ event.

“Every candidate rose to the challenges they faced. Each one demonstrated great capacity and capability and I was impressed by them all.

“However, only one person can be Chief Constable and I have asked Simon Edens to lead the Force through the next period.

“Simon is an authentic leader with experience in five forces, a vision for the future and a desire to help me see Northamptonshire as the safest place in England.

“He will also ensure the top team models a progressive inclusive culture. The next five years will be demanding for policing and with Simon at the helm I am confident about Northamptonshire’s future.’

Mr Edens has been Deputy Chief Constable at Leicestershire since May 2012. Before that he was assistant chief constable at West Mercia Police, later becoming closely involved in that force’s strategic alliance with Warwickshire, heading up local policing across two force areas.

After beginning his policing career with the Royal Ulster Constabulary, he then served for 17 years with Cambridgeshire, rising to the post of Chief Superintendent, leading the Force’s change programme.

He said: “This was a very challenging process so I’m delighted to have been appointed as the preferred candidate for Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police.

“I’m looking forward very much to working with Adam Simmonds, the leadership team and all the officers, staff and volunteers at Northamptonshire Police as we strive to become the safest county in England.”

Mr Edens is expected to take up his new role at some point in the summer.