NORTHUMBRIA Police has welcomed Assistant Chief Constable Darren Best as its latest senior recruit.

Darren joins the force from Cleveland Police and will take on the protective services portfolio.

It covers a broad range of areas, including vulnerable people, child abuse, homicide, intelligence and serious and organised crime.

It also incorporates the force’s operations department which includes firearms support and roads policing as well as marine, horses, dogs, airport and Metro policing teams. Darren joined the police in 1989 where he began his career in South Bank, Teesside, as a probationer.

Since then, he has worked his way through the policing ranks gaining experience in public protection and child protection.

He said: “Northumbria has an excellent reputation and prior to applying for the post, I spoke with a number of officers and staff who clearly had a real passion for policing and for serving the public, I absolutely share the same values and am now delighted to be working alongside all of the people who help keep the people of Northumbria safe.”