Avon and Somerset Police Authority is delighted to announce that Rob Beckley has become the new Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) for Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

This appointment sees Rob returning to his roots. He was born in the West Country and attended St Brendan's College, Bristol before attending university in Durham and joining the Metropolitan Police in 1986.

Rob is currently Assistant Chief Constable (Crime and Operations) at Hertfordshire Constabulary.

Dr Moira Hamlin, Chair of Avon and Somerset Police Authority, said: "I am delighted Robert has accepted the position of Deputy Chief Constable at Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

"He brings with him a wealth of experience from his previous positions which will be a real asset to the force.

"We are confident that he is the right person for this challenging but exciting position. "

In his current role at as Assistant Chief Constable (Crime and Operations) at Hertfordshire Constabulary Rob has responsibility for day-to-day operational policing and performance. Prior to this he was ACC for operational support in the same force.

Rob started his career in 1986 when he joined the Metropolitan Police. During his ten years with the Met, he had a number of operational roles across London, including inner city roles in Brixton and Southall before becoming Head of Race and Minority Policy at New Scotland Yard.

He joined Thames Valley Police in 1997 on promotion as Superintendent and in 1998 he was promoted to Chief Superintendent in charge of the southern half of Buckinghamshire, a post he held until March 2001 when he left to join Hertfordshire.

Rob currently sits on the ACPO Race and Diversity Committee and Terrorism and Allied Matters Committee. He set up and led the National Community Tension Team in its work in respect of community cohesion, public disorder and the community strand of the national prevention of terrorism strategy.

Rob also has wide command experience. He was the police commander for the Potters Bar Crash in 2002, he led the national police service response to community tensions and concerns after 7/7 and recently helped co-ordinate the response to the Buncefield Fire.

Rob is looking forward to the new challenges the post at Avon and Somerset will bring.

He said: "To join a force with such a strong reputation in improving performance and a real focus on its communities is, for me, a real privilege and the sort of job to which everyone aspires."

Before joining the police Rob spent almost four years in aid and development work, primarily in Africa. He is married with three young sons. He is interested in international issues, is a fellow of the Royal Geographic Society and is a very keen cyclist. At various times he has roved around all corners of Avon, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire on his bike.