The first direct-entry candidate to be appointed to chief officer-level position begins her new role today.

Portsmouth’s former district commander Maggie Blyth is one of two new assistant chief constables to join Wiltshire Police.

She takes up the post heading up local policing and operations – just over two years since becoming a warranted officer.

Before joining Hampshire Constabulary as a superintendent in November 2016, she worked as a public sector senior leader, holding roles nationally and locally with responsibility for children's services.

She has more than 30 years’ experience in senior posts in the criminal justice system – with a background in safeguarding and public protection.

ACC Blyth, who has published several books on 'children at risk' and is particularly interested in how public services work together to protect communities from high risk and high harm crimes, said: "I am excited to be joining Wiltshire.”

ACC Blyth joined the 18-month long direct-entry course after passing the Senior Police National Assessment Centre initial phase.

Just over 12 months after starting with Hampshire f, she was appointed district commander for the city of Portsmouth – a post she held for exactly a year before being accepted on a three-month strategic command course in January.

Last month, former Dorset Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Cooper began his tenure with Wiltshire as an ACC for crime and justice.

Meanwhile, Chris McMullin completes a trio of newcomers as the director for People and Change, a police staff position within the force's executive leadership team.

He first joined Wiltshire as a performance analyst in October 2008 after finishing a maths degree at Nottingham University.

Mr McMullin will oversee the delivery of the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner and force-shared services for the Organisational Development department and People Services.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted and feel humbled to be given this opportunity. Having been with this force for 10 years,

“I am incredibly proud of what has and continues to be achieved and really looking forward to building on that success and working with my colleagues to enable the organisation to deliver outstanding services."