BURY has its first-ever female police chief from Monday.

Chief Superintendent Janette McCormick has taken over as head of the divisional police force and will be responsible for approximately 315 full-time police officers, 80 civilian staff including 20 police support officers and 35 specials.

She has spent the last eight months as a superintendent in charge of operations in Bolton

She replaces Chief Superintendent Garry Shewan who has been Bury's Divisional Commander since January last year. He has now been promoted to an Assistant Chief Constable with Cheshire Constabulary.