Chief constable Andy Marsh to leave Avon & Somerset Police

The chief constable of Avon & Somerset Police has said it has been the “honour of a lifetime” to lead the force that he first joined as a new recruit.

Marsh has revealed that he will stand down from the top cop job this summer and will not be seeking to extend his contract when it expires at the start of July.

Avon & Somerset Police have recently been criticised for alleged heavy-handedness at ‘kill the bill’ demonstrations, with Marsh also singled out for criticism by home secretary Priti Patel after his officers allowed Black Live Matter protesters to pull down the statue of Edward Colston – a decision which has also been praised by others.

Marsh said: “To leave a force I first joined in 1987 has been a difficult decision to make, but I feel it is the right time for me to embark on a new challenge and for another person to take the helm and continue on the journey to make Avon & Somerset Police the outstanding force it deserves to be.”

Marsh rose up through the ranks at Avon & Somerset, taking on both operational and detective roles up to the role of chief superintendent and BCU commander, first for South Bristol and then Somerset East.

He later became assistant chief constable at Wiltshire Police and then Avon & Somerset, and was deputy chief constable and then chief constable at Hampshire Police before being appointed chief constable at Avon & Somerset Police in 2016.

Marsh said: “It’s been the honour of a lifetime to lead a force filled with officers, staff and volunteers who live and breathe our values of being a caring, courageous, inclusive and a learning-led organisation.

“I’m very proud of their achievements and the work they do every day to serve and protect the public.”

Marsh played a national role in advancing and promoting the use of body worn video and was the National Police Chiefs Council lead for international policing.

……………………………………

Read more: ‘I was punished for exercising a basic human right’

……………………………………

He added: “We need to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing new technology and we’re already a leading force developing robotics and automation.

“Policing will of course always be about people, and our vision, leadership and operationalisation of the opportunities offered by digital, technology and data will keep this force at the leading edge.

“Avon & Somerset Police has been at the forefront of these developments and I am proud of what we have achieved during my time as chief.

“The Avon and Somerset area has wonderfully rich diversity, strong communities and an enduring sense of public spirit, which will only make it an even harder wrench to leave my role this summer.”

https://www.facebook.com/84024879806/videos/437010704046329

Main photo: Ellie Pipe

Read more: Protesters chased by police dogs through Castle Park at latest ‘kill the bill’ protest