THE new divisional commander of Bury police brings more than just a degree of criminology to the job!

For Chief Superintendent Garry Shewan is a former college lecturer who also holds a Masters degree in criminology. He followed in his father's footsteps by joining the police and has risen through the ranks to become Bury's chief officer.

His top priorities are to tackle anti-social and nuisance behaviour on his "patch" and to help improve the quality of life for local residents.

The father-of-two was born in Sunderland and after being educated there moved to Greater Manchester in 1981 to study at Salford University. In 1984, he graduated in sociology. Later, he became a sociology and economics lecturer at Manchester College. He combined his work with further studies which led to his Masters degree in criminology. Ch Supt Shewan (41) admits that the subject did influence him to seek a career in the police force.

"But first and foremost, my father was a bobby. I suppose I wanted to see things from a different point of view. But an interest in the police was always there."

He entered Greater Manchester Police in 1987 and served as a police constable in Stockport before transferring to Rochdale two years later. In 1990, he was awarded his sergeant's stripes and attended a national accelerated promotion course.

Two years later, he became an inspector and worked at Rochdale. He also worked for a spell at GMP's headquarters.

Promoted to chief inspector in 1997, he served with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. Two years later, he was appointed commander of the Manchester city centre Bootle division and rose to the rank of superintendent.

Much of last year was involved in attending a national strategic command course for senior officers.

Commenting on his new appointment, Ch Supt Shewan, who lives in Rochdale, said: "I'm very pleased to be working in Bury, especially having served previously in what was a city centre environment.

"I'm excited about coming back to police communities. And I'm very anxious to improve the quality of life for local people and I certainly want to address any problems of nuisance and disorder."

He is hopeful that new Government anti-social legislation which came into force this week will play a crucial role in achieving his aims.

"Bury is a lovely area which I know because I served and live in nearby Rochdale. There are a lot of challenges ahead and my objective will be to make the communities feel safer."

As Bury police commander, Ch Supt Shewan will be in charge of the division's 329 officers and 44 civilian support staff. Staffing levels in Bury are at their highest ever. He succeeds Ch Supt Andy Holt who has left the division after nine months to attend the national strategic command course.

Members of the public can question the new police chief when he attends a Public Voice on Policing (PVP) meeting at Radcliffe Civic Hall on February 12, beginning at 7.30pm.