Police authority chief appointed

A new chief executive has been appointed for Devon and Cornwall Police Authority.

Susan Howl, who is chief executive of Warwickshire Police Authority, is due to take over the role in the new year.

The appointment follows the suspension in March of Graham Davey following an unspecified complaint. He stepped down from the post in August.

The role of a police authority is to ensure the police force it governs is run efficiently.

Devon and Cornwall Police Authority controls an annual budget of about £265m a year and has its own budget of £1.5m.

The authority comprises 19 members: 10 councillors and nine independent members, including one lay justice member.

Ms Howl said she was "delighted" to be taking up the role of chief executive.

"I have enjoyed working with an excellent authority and constabulary in Warwickshire which punches well above its weight in terms of performance and responding to the issues which most concern people in local communities across the county," she said.

"I intend to use the experience I have gained in Warwickshire and previously with the Home Office in order to maintain high standards of public service alongside members of the authority and senior police officers in Devon and Cornwall."