Nick Gargan is confirmed as new police Chief Constable

NICK Gargan has been confirmed as the new Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset police.

He was approved by the regional Police and Crime Panel (PCP) at a meeting in Clevedon this afternoon.

After Mr Gargan was presented to the collection of councillors and independent members by Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens, he fielded a variety of questions covering a wide range of topics.

Then, behind closed doors, the 18-strong panel decided whether to use their two-thirds veto on the appointment.

Clearly impressed by the new incumbent, who will take over on a five-year contract on March 1, Mr Gargan and Ms Mountstevens were called back in and given the news that he was successful and will take the helm.

Relieved and pleased, Mr Gargan told The Post: "It's just a huge honour and a huge privilege to be able to lead such a terrific police force."

Watch the full interview with the new Chief Constable as he talks to our crime correspondent Daniel Evans.

Mr Gargan is the current Chief Constable of the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA).

His first policing job was with Leicestershire Constabulary in 1988, rising to chief superintendent.

From 2006 he worked for Thames Valley, where he was assistant chief constable for crime and criminal justice.

In the mid 1990s he was seconded to the National Criminal Intelligence Service, based initially in London and later in France.

He took charge of the British investigation into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and in 2007 gave evidence at the inquest.

Mr Gargan, who also has extensive experience as a detective, has been a member of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) since April 2006 and has been involved, on behalf of ACPO, with work around covert investigation since 2003.

From 2007 to 2010 he was the ACPO lead for intelligence. He joined the NPIA in January 2010.

Current Chief Constable Colin Port will retire on January 26 and Deputy Chief Constable Rob Beckley will temporarily take his place until Mr Gargan takes charge. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens told ThisisBristol that Nick Gargan was the right man for the right job and she was looking forward to working with him