Leading officer Dennis leaving Northamptonshire Force 30 years after starting out as a Special Constable

One of the county's top police officer in hanging up his handcuffs in Northamptonshire after taking charge of policing six Silverstone Grands Prix and leading the Force's approach to stop and search during a 28-year career.

Superintendent Dennis Murray is joining British Transport Police as temporary Chief Superintendent for Trust, Legitimacy and Community Policing.

Dennis, who grew up in Corby, joined the Police in 1992 after initially volunteereing as a Special Constable. He moved to CID four years later and then the National Crime Squad in 1999 before returning to the Force to take up a role in Intelligence.

In 2004, he became a Hate Crimes Officer, winning the David Ryan Memorial Cup for his engagement work with Muslim communities across Northamptonshire, as well as the Pride in Northamptonshire Award for hard work and determination in developing minority communities.

He was promoted to Sergeant In 2008 and Inspector three years later, working as a staff officer to former Chief Constable Adrian Lee as well as Head of Contact in the Force Control Room and Head of Corporate Services where, as part of the Force Transformation team, he was tasked to deliver £23m of savings while developing a new Target Operating Model which integrates Police and Fire services.

Dennis, who has been Local Policing Area Commander for the north since its inception last October, is also a public order and firearms commander.

He was also event commander at six Formula One Grands Prix at Silverstone, including this year's behind-closed-doors event which he admitted forced the Police to "rip up all our previous plans and start again."

He said: "Northamptonshire Police has been a massive part of my life for 30 years. I am excited to be taking up my new role but know I will miss the fantastic people who work tirelessly every day to deliver a great service to the public, especially the officers and staff from the front line.

"I am grateful for having had the chance to work alongside some of the most dedicated people in policing.

!I am looking forward to the new challenge and starting a new phase of my career but I have no doubt I will be popping back in every now and then to catch up with friends and colleagues or to share good practice."

British Transport Police looks after railways and light-rail system nationwide. Dennis will serve as BTP's 'Champion for Race' helping to shape the Force's approach to community relations. He will also serve as BTP's lead on the Independent Office for Police Conduct inquiry into whether police officers racially discriminate against ethnic minorities, particularly around the use of stop and search.

Northamptonshire's Deputy Chief Constable, Simon Nickless, said: "Dennis has been a tremendous and hard-working servant to Northamptonshire Police over three decades.

"His leadership around the key issue of use of force and, in particular, stop and search, will be invaluable in this new role and I know all his friends and colleagues here in wish him well."

The county's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Stephen Mold, said: "In almost 30 years serving the public of Northamptonshire, Dennis will have touched many lives.

"His contribution to making this county a safer place will be missed, but his influence on those he has led and worked with will continue to be felt throughout the organisation and I thank him for all that he has done."