Cumbria's Chief Constable moves to Cleveland to improve failing force
Cleveland Police was the first force to be officially rated as failing in all areas
The Deputy Chief Constable of Cumbria Police will move to Cleveland to improve a force that was deemed to be failing in 2019.
Mark Webster will become Cleveland Police's seventh Chief Constable in less than a decade when he takes charge in April.
Mr Webster has held senior roles within the National Crime Agency and Greater Manchester Police.
His predecessor, Richard Lewis, left the £160,000-a-year role to lead Dyfed-Powys Police in his native Wales, having made inroads to improving the force.
The first force to be officially rated as failing in all areas
It has been beset by a series of scandals, including it becoming the first to be officially rated as failing in all areas in 2019.
Former chief constable Sean Price was sacked for gross misconduct in 2012, officers were under investigation after journalists' phones were unlawfully monitored, and there had been long-standing claims of racism within the ranks.
In February 2021, an official inspection deemed the force to be improving, but the watchdog said there was still hard work to do.
"I'm confident he is the right person to lead the force"
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Steve Turner said Mr Webster was his preferred choice and that had been backed by an appointment panel.
Mr Turner said: "After a thorough search, I'm confident he is the right person to lead the force forward as they continue to improve the service they deliver to Cleveland's communities."
In November, Mr Turner announced the recruitment process was starting afresh after none of the initial pool of applicants was appointed.