Stephen Bett, chairman of Norfolk Police Authority, has announced that a selection panel has appointed Phil Gormley to be Norfolk Constabulary’s new Chief Constable. Mr Gormley takes up his appointment on 22 March 2010.

Mr Gormley is currently serving in the West Midlands force as Deputy Chief Constable, a role he has held for the past 3 years.

Mr Bett said, “Phil Gormley demonstrated that he has the blend of experience, vision and aptitude that we were looking for to continue the development of Norfolk Constabulary and we look forward to welcoming him as part of the existing highly-credible, high performing team.

“A great deal has been achieved for the people of Norfolk over the past three years and we believe that Mr Gormley is the best person to move still further forward. He will do this in a climate of expected dramatic central budget cuts and increasing pressure to share services with our neighbouring forces.

“Mr Gormley, however, is fortunate in that he will have a first-class team around him to turn the challenges ahead into opportunities to demonstrate how we can continue to deliver even more ‘value for money’ policing.

“In financial terms that equates to £15million worth of savings in the past three years whilst we have put more officers and staff on the frontline. A further £15m of savings is planned in the next three years.

“I fully expect that, under Mr Gormley’s leadership, the Constabulary will continue to be recognised nationally for the way it is improving its services, designing them around the people who really matter – our residents.

“There is little doubt that the future path is going to be a tricky one to navigate. The journey will require visionary thinking, tenacity and a lot of hard work. We in the Authority will be lending our full support,” said Mr Bett.