SURREY Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Kevin Hurley has begun the recruitment process to appoint the county’s next Chief Constable.

The police force has been without a permanent Chief Constable following Lynne Owens’ departure to become director general of the National Crime Agency in January.

Applications are sought from qualified candidates “committed to continuing to drive down crime, enhancing services for victims, increasing police visibility and tackling new and emerging operational challenges”.

The appointment of a Chief Constable is the one of the key responsibilities for a police and crime commissioner.

The closing date for applications is Friday, April 29, with interviews and an appointment scheduled to take place after the forthcoming PCC elections on Thursday, May 5 – as promised by Surrey’s reigning independent PCC Mr Hurley, last December.

In the meantime, Surrey’s Deputy Chief Constable Nick Ephgrave will continue to serve as Acting Chief Constable.

Mr Hurley said: “In the interests of democracy and fairness to whomever the PCC may be post-May, I have decided the short-listing and selection of candidates should take place after the PCC elections.

“However, given the critical importance of the role, it is sensible to ensure the appointment can be made as swiftly after the elections as possible.

“Surrey Police needs the very best person to lead the force through a period of significant change in a climate of financial challenge and I welcome applications from people with a real passion for policing.

“Until such point as this process is finalised, I have every confidence in Nick Ephgrave’s ability as temporary chief constable.”

The delay in appointing Ms Owens’ successor has left Surrey Police without a permanent chief at a time when it is facing severe budget pressures as well as criticism by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).

In February, Surrey Police was one of 18 forces in England and Wales told it “requires improvement” by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) in how it investigates crime and manages offenders, and also in the way it tackles serious and organised crime and was also criticised for leaving vulnerable victims and children at risk.

Last December, HMIC also rated Surrey inadequate at protecting the vulnerable from harm and supporting victims, prompting Mr Hurley to controversially declare he would have dismissed the outgoing Chief Constable Mrs Owens had she not departed by her own volition.

The new Chief Constable will be tasked with delivering the improvements demanded by HMIC, as well as continuing the roll-out of Surrey Police’s new Policing in Your Neighbourhood model set to be launched this month.

Promises under the new model are changes to front-line services with local policing teams growing as more officers are tasked to a specific borough or district, tackling local problems and supporting smaller but still dedicated Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

Communities will continue to have a dedicated local Inspector and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) who will work with partners such as hospitals and councils to make communities safer.

Instead of covering wide expanses in the county, officers will be tasked with solving chronic issues causing the greatest risk and harm to local communities. Teams who safeguard the most vulnerable will also increase in size.