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Avon and Somerset chief constable Andy Marsh to step down

Andy Marsh, chief constable of Avon and Somerset Police, has announced he will leave the job when his contract expires in July this year to ?embark on a new challenge?.
Published - 07/04/2021 By - Chloe Livadeas

CC Marsh first joined the force as a new recruit in 1987 and went on to take both operational and detective roles up to the role of Chief Superintendent and BCU Commander, first for South Bristol and then Somerset East.

He went onto serve as Assistant Chief Constable at Wiltshire Police and then Avon and Somerset Police, before being appointed Deputy Chief Constable and then Chief Constable at Hampshire Police, before taking on the Chief Constable role at Avon and Somerset Police in February 2016.

He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in 2018, the same year he was recognised by Women of the Future in its list of 50 ‘Kind Leaders’.

The chief came under criticism last summer when his officers stood by and let Black Lives Matter protesters in Bristol tear down a statue of slave trader Edward Colston. It was reported that the Home Secretary Priti Patel had “firm” words with CC Marsh over the decision not to intervene.

CC Marsh said: “To leave a force I first joined in 1987 has been a difficult decision to make, but I feel it is the right time for me to embark on a new challenge and for another person to take the helm and continue on the journey to make Avon and Somerset Police the outstanding force it deserves to be.”

Previously National Police Chiefs' Council lead for Body Worn Video (BWV), he said he was passionate about his national role in advancing and promoting the use of BWV.

He said: “I truly believe the advancement of BVW affords the police greater legitimacy and accountability in the eyes of the public. But it’s not only this; BWV can show people the complexity and ambiguity of challenges and dangers officers and staff face on a daily basis and highlight the risks they take with their safety, to keep the public safe.”

CC Marsh said he took great pride in the “trail-blazing advances the force has made in equipping our officers and staff with the best technology in the world”.

“We need to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing new technology and we’re already a leading force developing robotics and automation. Policing will of course always be about people, and our vision, leadership and operationalisation of the opportunities offered by digital, technology and data will keep this force at the leading edge.

“Avon and Somerset Police has been at the forefront of these developments and I am proud of what we have achieved during my time as Chief.

“The Avon and Somerset area has wonderfully rich diversity, strong communities and an enduring sense of public spirit, which will only make it an even harder wrench to leave my role this summer.” 

Avon and Somerset’s Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens also intends to step down in May.

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