Surrey will be looking for a new chief constable as CC Stephens will succeed current Chair Martin Hewitt from next April in the full time NPCC role

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens has been appointed as the new Chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), and will take up the full time post from next April.

CC Stephens, who has been with Surrey Police for over 20 years, will succeed current incumbent Martin Hewitt who's set to depart in March following a four-year term.

Describing himself as "very honoured", the incoming Chair said: "I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues and leading the organisation to build on the fantastic work they’ve done so far in improving policing and keeping our communities safe.

"I am as excited about and motivated by policing today, as I was as a new recruit."

Also "delighted" by the appointment is Mr Hewitt, who considers CC Stephens an "exceptional chief, who brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience".

The College of Policing CC, Andy Marsh, is looking forward to working closely with the new Chair to "continue the work already underway to improve policing". 

CC Stephens first joined Cambridgeshire Constabulary in 1993, before working his way up the ranks of Surrey Police. 

He is currently the Chair of the NPCC Finance Coordination Committee, as well as the national Communications Advisory Group, and in 2016 led the implementation of the Neighbourhood Policing Guidelines.