PCC picks his choice for Beds Chief Constable

“Colette impressed us all with her infectious energy and enthusiasm,” said the commissioner, “and I very much look forward to working with her to deliver my police and crime plan.”

Ms Paul said: “I’m absolutely delighted. Bedfordshire is wonderfully diverse county with lots of complexities, which will make it a really interesting place to work.

“I’m looking forward to working with Olly Martins and the senior officer team, to ensure the delivery of the kind of service that the public of Bedfordshire expect and deserve.”

In line with the new legislation, the outcome of the selection procedure will now go to a confirmation hearing of the police and crime panel.

Colette Paul studied English and psychology at Keele University then joined the Metropolitan Police first walking the beat in Edmonton, North London.

She progressed into CID and has since spent a large part of her career as an operational detective, including work within the vice unit, murder squad, and the race and violent crime task force.

She took a career break in 1998 to work for the British High Commissioner in Ottawa, Canada.

On her return to London two years later she was involved in a number of terrorist investigations. She joined South Wales Police as an assistant chief constable in 2008.

Ms Paul’s name will go to the Police and Crime Panel when it meets on June 4.

The panel is responsible for reviewing the proposed appointment and recommending whether or not Ms Paul should be appointed. The panel also have the power to veto the appointment