A new chief constable has been appointed to Devon and Cornwall police.

Stephen Otter, deputy chief constable of Avon and Somerset Police, was chosen from four final candidates and is due to start the job in January.

He replaces deputy chief constable Nigel Arnold who took interim charge of the force on 26 July after the forced retirement of former head Maria Wallis.

The Police Authority hopes the "extremely personable" new boss will provide a fresh start for the force.

'New direction'

Mr Otter was chosen above Lincolnshire's chief constable Tony Lake and deputy chief constable Richard Crompton and Simon Ash, deputy chief constable of Hertfordshire Police.

A police officer for 24 years, he has served in the Metropolitan Police, Hong Kong Police, the Home Office and in 2002 joined the Avon and Somerset force.

David Money, chair of Devon and Cornwall Police Authority, described him as an all-round package with "charisma and inter-personal skills" and anticipated a "really positive reaction" to his appointment among the force.

"He is extremely personable, a listener as well as a leader, I think that's usually important," he said.

"I think people will really engage, even people who disagree with him will feel that they have every opportunity to express their views.

His appointment would provide a "new start with a new chief constable and a new direction".

Former chief Maria Wallis stood down after senior figures in the Police Authority called for her resignation.

She had been facing an independent inquiry into a 2005 pay review.

The force backed down over the review which she authorised and proposed cutting hundreds of civilian workers' salaries.

Mr Money said the force's main challenge was to "halt the propensity of the force to look backward over a difficult 18 months - two years - and to start moving this force forward".

He said the authority also hoped the new chief constable would be able to unlock the potential of the workforce at rank and civilian levels.

"That's his great challenge initially and I think he will rise to the challenge immensely," he said.

Coming from a neighbouring force with a similar urban and rural mix would be beneficial, he added.

"It's absolutely vital that we go forward," he said.