A TRAINED teacher has been appointed as the new Assistant Chief Constable for Lancashire.

Lancashire Police Authority announced today that Wendy Walker (pictured) would take up the post.

She said: "I'm over the moon. It will be an honour and a privilege to be part of the senior officer team on the Constabulary and I am looking forward to serving the people of Lancashire."

Wendy has been Acting Assistant Chief Constable since July 2005.

Before joining the police service she attained a degree in Bachelor of Education. However, after completing her teacher training in Liverpool, she decided to join the police service.

Wendy joined the police in 1981 and has worked all over Lancashire in various divisions and departments, specialising in computer development, criminal investigation, traffic, personnel and community safety. She is a trained hostage negotiator.

During her service she has attained a Master of Arts in Organisational Management at Manchester University.

Over the last four years Wendy worked in the Constabulary as Divisional Commander for the Northern Division, followed by a secondment to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.

Malcolm Doherty, Chair of Lancashire Police Authority, said he was looking forward to Wendy joining the authority, which was ranked joint first (with Surrey) in the country in assessments carried out by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Home Office earlier this year.

He said he hoped she would help maintain and improve its performance still further.

He said: "Wendy Walker is an exceptional officer who impressed the whole interview panel in a rigorous selection process.

"She is a highly experienced officer whose skills and abilities will make a valuable contribution to the Constabulary's performance.

"She will complement the Command Team and we look forward to working with her."

Chief Constable Steve Finnigan said: "I am absolutely delighted that Wendy Walker has now been appointed as Assistant Chief Constable, a post she has been fulfilling in an acting capacity for the past two and a half years.

"Wendy has an excellent track record and has undoubtedly helped the Constabulary achieve its position as the joint top performing force in England and Wales.

"I would like to welcome Wendy as a substantive member of the Chief Officer team and I look forward to continuing to work with her as part of the service we provide to the people of Lancashire."