The man who has led Cleveland Police for the past six years -- and presided over a dramatic improvement in its performance -- is staying with the Force.
Cleveland Police Authority today announced that it has agreed to extend the contract of Chief Constable Sean Price by a further three years, taking it to March 2013 -- a decision which Authority Chair Dave McLuckie described as 'good news for the Force -- and even better news for the people of Cleveland who now have a Force they can rightly be proud of.'
The news that Mr Price is staying on comes on the same day as the Authority has agreed spending plans for the coming year which will see further progress in delivering Mr Price's 'Putting People First' strategy -- including maintaining record officer numbers, the launch of a new air support unit and the roll-out of modern technology for officers on the beat.
Said Councillor McLuckie "We are absolutely delighted that Sean Price is staying with Cleveland Police at a time when we are set to take a further major leap forward in delivering quality policing to the public.
"The progress made during his period at the helm is remarkable. The most important achievement is that we have been winning the battle against crime -- for instance by the end of the current financial year next month we are on target to have cut recorded crime by 20 per cent, equivalent to well over 11,000 fewer victims of crime.
"Working with -- and strongly supported by -- the Authority, his 'Putting People First' approach has meant that we have been at the forefront of the introduction of neighbourhood policing. We have shared his determination to provide officers and staff with the tools to do the job, whether through the massive improvement in buildings and facilities or to the introduction of new technology to improve front-line policing...and now, of course, the creation of our own air support unit.
"I know he takes particularly pride in the fact that through our CUPID (Cleveland Universal Police Information Device) project, which we demonstrated to the Home Secretary last year, Cleveland has become the first Force in the country to roll out hand -held technology giving officers on the beat access to a wide range of functions, including full mobile crime reporting as well as local and national intelligence systems.
"We appreciate that he is deeply committed to continuing to build on the progress which has been achieved in Cleveland over recent years and indeed has made it clear that he has no wish to serve with any other Force."
Added Mr Price "I am absolutely delighted with the support I have received from every member of the Force during my time with Cleveland and the massive support and confidence I have received from the Chair and all members of the Police Authority.
"I am delighted with the extension to my contract and look forward to
continuing to 'Put People First' for at least another four years."
Sean Price joined Merseyside Police direct from university in 1979, was quickly accepted on to the Graduate Entry Scheme and rose through the ranks to become Chief Superintendent. Key postings during his time on Merseyside included heading up the force's drug squad operations, commanding policing in the Toxteth and Admiral Street areas, responsibility for overseeing the wholesale restructuring of the force and finally as co-ordinator for all territorial policing delivery.
After completing the police Strategic Command Course Mr Price was appointed Assistant Chief Constable (Operations) with Nottinghamshire Police in 1998. Studying part-time, he gained a Masters Degree in Criminology from Cambridge University and the following year became Deputy Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire. He became Chief Constable in Cleveland in March 2003 and received the Queen's Police Medal in June 2005.
Mr Price has played a number of important national roles with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in areas including communications and anti-terrorism planning. In February last year he joined the review team reporting to the Home Secretary on the future of Police IT and is to become chair of a multi-agency body for police information systems and structures.