Merseyside Police appoint new Deputy Chief Constable

Chief Constable Andy Cooke has appointed a new Deputy Chief Constable for Merseyside Police. Assistant Chief Constable Carl Foulkes from West Midlands Police will join the force as Deputy Chief Constable on 12 September. Following the appointment Chief Constable Andy Cooke, said: "I would like to congratulate Carl on his appointment as Deputy Chief Constable. It was an extremely competitive process and I am sure that Carl will be a welcome and invaluable addition to the command team. He will bring a wealth of experience with him as a result of the work he has undertaken at West Midlands Police, the second largest force in the country." Carl started his policing career with British Transport Police (BTP) in 1993, having previously worked in the Royal Navy and seen active service in the first Gulf War. He spent 10 years working in London with BTP, serving in a variety of local policing and support roles and rising to the to rank of Acting Chief Inspector. In 2003 he joined West Midlands police as a Detective Chief Inspector in Walsall and went on to become an operations Superintendent in Birmingham. In 2008 he was promoted to the position of Commander in Solihull, before taking over command of Force Intelligence in 2010. From Force Intelligence Carl went on to become head of West Midlands CID and managed the force response to serious organised crime, homicide and acquisitive crime. He passed the Senior National Police Assessment Centre in 2013 and was promoted to ACC Local Policing and Public Protection for West Midlands Police in 2014. Following his appointment, Carl, who is married with a 15-year-old son, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as the new Deputy Chief Constable for Merseyside Police and I can't wait to get started. The force is currently facing significant challenges and is undergoing extensive change as a result of reductions to its budget. "In the run up to the recruitment process I met a number of officers and staff and was really taken by their positive approach to change and the desire to provide an effective policing service for the people of Merseyside. I know that Merseyside Police is already committed to working closely with its communities. I am determined to ensure that I maintain the force's commitment to putting communities first." In his spare time Carl enjoys outdoor pursuits including running, walking and cycling and his proudest moment was representing Great Britain at the World Duathlon Championships in France in 2012. Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said: “I congratulate Carl Foulkes on his appointment as Deputy Chief Constable and welcome him as he joins Merseyside Police. “Carl was chosen from a very strong field of candidates and I’m sure his skills and experience will be of huge benefit to the Force and to the people it serves. I look forward to working with Carl as he takes up his new role to deliver the best possible service to the public of Merseyside.”