Michael Fuller said he hoped his appointment would be an example

Michael Fuller, currently a deputy assistant commissioner in the Metropolitan Police, will take over the Kent force in January next year.

The 44-year-old has asked for people to focus on his plans for policing Kent rather than his colour.

Speaking at a press conference at the force's headquarters in Maidstone, Kent, on Monday, he said: "I'm very proud to take up the appointment."

I hope it will be an example to other organisations as well as the police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Michael Fuller Watch Mr Fuller address the news conference

Mr Fuller said he was confident given the selection process that he had been appointed to the �120,000 post on the basis of his achievements.

He said: "All credit to the police authority for not being deterred by the publicity that this appointment might create - and actually appointing somebody who is deserving and on merit.

"I hope it will be an example to other organisations as well as the police," he said.

Rural policing

Mr Fuller, who became the first black member of the Association of Chief Police Officers four years ago, said he relished the opportunity to build on the success of Kent's force.

He said: "I think my concern is the policing of Kent and what I can bring to the policing of Kent and about making Kent a safer place."

The father-of-two, who has been praised for his work on the Metropolitan Police's drug policy, said he was confident his success in tackling urban crime could be translated to Kent's rural communities.

"I think there's a lot of ways in which we can improve in terms of the strategy for dealing with problems in rural communities," he said.

He said he planned to tackle "quality of life" issues like vandalism, graffiti and rowdiness as well as more serious crime.

'Exceptional officer'

Mr Fuller's appointment has been welcomed by the Black Police Association (BPA).

Acting Chief Constable of Kent, Bob Ayling, also backed his appointment as "an exceptional officer" who would deliver a great police service to the county.

Mr Fuller joined the Metropolitan Police as a cadet in 1975, going on to serve in Special Branch, CID and to set up the Racial and Violent Crimes Task Force in 1998.

He has also headed Operation Trident, which targets gun-related crime within the black community and is currently the director of intelligence at Scotland Yard.