Norfolk's Top Policeman Gets National Role

30 April 2013, 06:01 | Updated: 30 April 2013, 06:37

Norfolk Police's Chief Constable Phil Gormley has been offered a job to help run the new National Crime Agency.

He has described his appointment to help lead the new national crime-fighting agency as a ‘once in a life-time opportunity’.

Phil Gormley’s appointment as Deputy Director General of the National Crime Agency (NCA) was announced by Home Secretary Theresa May yesterday.

Mr Gormley, who joined Norfolk Constabulary in early 2010, will take the post in June ahead of the Agency’s official launch date in October.

Speaking after the announcement, Mr Gormley said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been selected to help lead the National Crime Agency.

“There are very few positions that I would have contemplated leaving my current role for; however, the creation of the NCA and the prospect of contributing nationally to tackling serious and organised crime, is, for me professionally, a once in a life-time opportunity.

“We know there is an increasing threat posed by organised criminal gangs operating across borders within complex and international networks and I look forward to being at the forefront of the national law enforcement effort to target these.

“It is a real wrench to leave Norfolk Constabulary and I remain incredibly proud of the achievements of everyone who has contributed, and continues to contribute, to make it one the best performing police forces in the Country. The release in the last few days of our crime figures for 2012/13 evidence that this is a first-class organisation performing at the top of its game.”

PCC Stephen Bett said: “I warmly congratulate Phil Gormley on his new appointment. It is a reflection of the quality of the applicants for top jobs in the Norfolk Constabulary that they come here, do well, and then move on to new and challenging roles in bigger organisations.”

Mr Gormley’s appointment to the post from a short-list follows a rigorous selection process over several months.

The announcement comes as the latest crime figures for Norfolk show it remains one of the safest places in the country with just 45 crimes per year per 1000 population and less than four burglaries per day across the county.

DCC Simon Bailey will become the Temporary Chief Constable on Mr Gormley’s departure. The PCC will consider the timetable for a permanent replacement over the next few months.