THE new chief constable for the region is a strong leader with “the skills North Yorkshire needs”, the police and crime commissioner has said.

Dave Jones – a current assistant chief constable in Northern Ireland – was the unanimous decision of a five-strong interview panel to become chief constable and will take on the role subject to final approval by North Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Panel next week.

If approved, he will take over from temporary chief constable Tim Madgwick, who had been seen as a popular choice for the role.

Julia Mulligan, who readvertised the job following a first round of interviews, said Mr Jones was well equipped to take on the difficult job. She said she was glad to have readvertised the role for a second time as the eight applicants were of a broader field and interview performance across the board was higher.

Mrs Mulligan, who confirmed Mr Jones would be paid in the region of £133,000 per annum, initially advertised for a four-year contract. She said: “I would hope the panel will agree with the decision.

“We are going to have changes. We import crime from other areas so I think his experience in higher crime areas will be really helpful in getting to grips with cross-border crimes. In Northern Ireland they have a national border that needs policing. I’m sure that experience will be helpful.

“We are all facing financial constraints, we are all going to be looking very hard at what delivers the most cost effective police service,” she said, adding that it would be important for him to quickly gain the support of partners, the force and staff.

Mr Jones has been described as an ambitious and highly qualified officer who had largely flown under the radar in Northern Ireland, according to journalist Chris Ryder who said he made headlines with plans to close “uneconomic” police stations.

In response Mark Botham, chairman of North Yorkshire Police Federation, said he would oppose the closure of police stations in North Yorkshire should it ever turn out to be a suggestion.

He said his preferred candidate had been Mr Madgwick, saying “the last three chiefs we have had have all been from outside the service”.

But he said the Police Federation was looking forward to working with Mr Jones.