Woman appointed chief constable

The first woman chief constable joins the Beds force in July

Gillian Parker is to be chief constable of Beds Police - the first woman to hold the job - and she will take up her post in July.

She has been deputy chief constable in Suffolk since October 2000 and received the Queen's Police Medal in 2003.

Mrs Parker has degrees in chemical engineering and applied criminology.

Beds' police authority chairman Adrian Heffernan said: "We've appointed someone who will understand issues important to different communities."

Mrs Parker specialised in human resources and corporate development at Suffolk after rising through the ranks with the Leicester force.

In Suffolk she became assistant chief constable in November 1998 after nearly 18 years with the Leicestershire force, where she began her career as a constable in Coalville.

She studied at Loughborough University of Technology between 1973 and 1977 gaining an honours degree in chemical engineering and a diploma in industrial studies.

In July 1999, she gained a master's degree in applied criminology with the University of Cambridge.

In Gillian Parker we have appointed a chief with strategic and operational skills. Adrian Heffernan

Mrs Parker's role in Suffolk covered human resources and corporate development departments.

She was also responsible for strategic planning, performance management, training, media relations, consultation, personnel and professional standards.

After her new appointment Mrs Parker said: "It's a wonderful opportunity and I'm looking forward to building upon the good work the senior officer team and the Police Authority have already undertaken."

Adrian Heffernan said: "In Gillian Parker we have appointed a chief with strategic and operational skills.

"Issues such as low-level volume crime and anti-social behaviour can ruin the quality of life for vulnerable people and we don't believe this is acceptable.

"The police authority will continue its drive for performance improvements, particularly in key areas such as burglary, violent and vehicle crime. "