THE new chief constable of Humberside Police has pledged to join officers on the beat during her first week in charge.
Justine Curran takes over as the head of the force today after Tim Hollis's retirement last week.
She will be met at the force headquarters in Priory Road this morning by Humberside police and crime commissioner Matthew Grove, who was responsible for hiring her.
Ms Curran said: "I am really excited about getting started. I know I have big shoes to fill but I have got lots of ideas and I'm looking forward to the challenge.
"I'm hoping to get out and about and meet some of the officers and the public and join them on some operations.
"It is about getting the message out that I am here and I want to meet people and get to know the area.
"I have been in policing for 25 years and the business doesn't change – it is the people that make it."
Ms Curran left her role as chief constable of Tayside Police in Scotland last week after four years in charge, to become the first female chief officer of Humberside.
A former student at the University of Hull, Ms Curran is moving to the area later this week with her husband and children.
She said: "It has been a hectic time but it is all positive."
Mr Grove said he is looking forward to meeting with Ms Curran today as she starts work. It will be the first of our regular meetings," he said.
"Today marks the start of a new era, not just for Humberside Police but for the whole area."
Ms Curran's appointment was unanimously approved by the police and crime panel after Mr Grove nominated her for the £139,119-a-year role.
She has previously held senior roles in the Merseyside and Greater Manchester police forces.
Mr Grove said: "I am absolutely confident she is the right person we need for the force and for the community in our fight against crime.
"She will certainly help to make East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire a safer place to be, with less crime and fewer victims.
"She is a team player, with a proven track record of policing at the sharp end in some of the most challenging areas of the country and of being closely involved in the local community.
"I am confident she has the professional judgment and experience to work with me on delivering my policing plan and making the significant efficiency savings we are facing."
Mr Grove urged people not to compare Ms Curran with her predecessor Mr Hollis, a former Army officer who joined the police force in the 1970s.
He has been credited with restoring the force's reputation and presided over eight consecutive years of falling crime.
Mr Grove said: "His were very difficult shoes to fill as he has been a very successful chief constable.
"Justine is very, very different and comes with a different set of skills.
"She is a modern police officer and is very much a chief constable for the 21st century."
