Top cop named new chief constable (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Holland-on-Sea: Top cop named new chief constable

3:00pm Sunday 24th February 2013 in News

A TOP cop who grew up in Holland on Sea has been confirmed as the county's new police chief.

Stephen Kavanagh is leaving the Met to become Essex chief constable He was appointed by police and crime commissioner Nick Alston.

Mr Kavanagh was born in Basildon but lived in Holland-on-Sea when his father was in the police before moving to Colchester.

He never wanted to be a police officer until he witnessed an armed robbery in the early 1980s and saw the effect it had on people.

He has spent 28 years in the Met, rising to the rank of deputy assistant commissioner for specialist operations.

"The only thing to take me out of London was being chief constable of my home force," said Mr Kavanagh, who now lives in Brentwood.

"I have good experience of the county I love and live in and this is an absolute honour.

"If you don't want a challenge you shouldn't be in the police.

"There is no easy time in policing and I am up for the challenge."