Chris Sims is a former divisional commander for Hanley

Policing policy expert Christopher Sims, 48, has been chosen to take over from the present chief constable David Swift who is retiring.

Mr Sims is currently the deputy chief executive at the National Policing Improvement Agency in London.

He previously worked as deputy chief constable at West Midlands Police for three years and before that in CID at Staffordshire Police.

He also worked as divisional commander in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.

'Enormous benefit'

Mr Sims said: "I have huge affection for the time that I worked in Staffordshire and my time in Hanley remains one of the highlights of my career.

"I look forward to maintaining Staffordshire's strong level of performance and particularly focussing on the service it provides to local people."

Staffordshire Police Authority chairman Michael Poulter said Mr Sims had a lot of experience in dealing with serious organised crime and terrorism.