POLICE in Oldham now have a dedicated chief superintendent after a shake up at the top.

Chris Bowen has been given the role after being interviewed by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Chief Constable Stephen Watson and his deputy Terry Woods on Friday.

Chief Supt Bowen moves over from West Yorkshire Police after joining the force in 1997.

After starting his career in Bradford, he went on to work in areas such as counter terrorism and took on the position of a tactical advisor for the policing operation of the Royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The force has taken on 12 new chief superintendents.

Six of the new chief superintendents and one that is currently serving with the force will be posted to a local policing district to fulfil CC Watson's pledge to improve leadership and partnership working.

The seven new district commanders will join three already established commanders and complete a new look local policing leadership structure in a bid to see a dedicated and accountable chief superintendent in each district.

The chief officer responsibility for the Local Policing portfolio will be jointly held by Assistant Chief Constables Chris Sykes and Scott Green, the latter of whom started at GMP this week.

Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods QPM said: "This has been without question the most ambitious senior recruitment process that has ever been seen in Greater Manchester Police, and I'm pleased to be able to update the public on our progress.

"Since his arrival, Chief Constable Watson has been very clear in his belief that local policing plays a crucial part in preventing crime and keeping the public safe, and I think that has been reflected in our determination to appoint a dedicated chief superintendent to each district.

"We are confident that strengthening local leadership in this way will significantly improve how we work with partners and provide more accountability, which will set us straight if we start to stray from our purpose.

"However local policing alone cannot solve all of our problems so we have made a number of other crucial chief superintendent appointments.

"Making these appointments is a great stride in the right direction on our journey to improve GMP and provide an effective service to the people of Greater Manchester, which we can all be proud of."