Essex Police Authority has appointed a new chief constable.
A spokesman said Jim Barker-McCardle, who is originally from Southend, would start as soon as possible.
Mr Barker-McCardle, 48, was previously deputy chief constable of Kent Police and held the same rank at the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA).
The new chief constable joined Kent Police in 1981, serving in uniform and as a detective before being promoted to deputy chief constable in 2004.
Mr Barker-McCardle said: “I am delighted and proud to have been appointed as chief constable for Essex Police.
“I am very much looking forward to working with Essex Police Authority, Essex Police officers and staff, and of course the people of Essex to continue to make the county even safer.”
A police spokeswoman said Mr Barker-McCardle was the only person to go through the selection process.
She said three people had applied but two withdrew shortly after.
