A high-ranking police officer from Kent has landed one of the top jobs at Hertfordshire Constabulary.

Andy Adams, who was assistant chief constable at Kent Police, has been appointed as Hertfordshire Constabulary’s new deputy chief constable.

Following his appointment, Deputy Chief Constable Adams said he was “delighted” to be appointed.

He said: “It is a real privilege to be joining a modern, flexible, and effective force that puts the community at the heart of what it does"

Deputy Chief Constable Adams has 27 years’ experience as a police officer, having joined Essex Police in 1985 before transferring to Kent as assistant chief constable in 2009. 

He replaces Hertfordshire’s current deputy chief constable, Heather Valentine, who retires next month.

Chief Constable Andy Bliss said: "We were looking for a deputy chief constable with operational credibility, an ability to operate effectively in collaboration with our police partners in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire and an ability to manage major transformational change.

"In addition we needed someone who could hit the ground running in challenging times.

“Andy Adams has a distinguished policing background in two forces that, bordering London, have many similarities to Hertfordshire. He strongly demonstrates the qualities we are seeking.

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming him to the Hertfordshire team."