New Barking and Dagenham Police commander

A new borough commander, with more than 20 years of policing experience behind him, has been appointed at Barking and Dagenham Police.

Ch Supt Andy Ewing replaces acting Ch Supt Gary Buttercase, who will be returning to his role as police superintendent.

Ch Supt Ewing’s previous post saw him lead the Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Uniform Protective Services Department which includes: the Firearms Support Unit; Dogs Unit; Roads Policing; ANPR and Civil Contingencies and Public Order Units.

He said: “It is an absolute privilege to take on this role and I am relishing the opportunity to work with my officers, staff, borough agencies and the community.

“We are fortunate that Barking and Dagenham is one of the safest London boroughs, but that doesn’t mean there is not room for further reductions in crime.”

“We have an exciting policing year ahead as we approach the Olympic Games and then the implementation of the new Local Policing Model. I am confident that we are well prepared to meet all the policing challenges of the future with professionalism and enthusiasm.

“We will continually strive to improve our level of service delivery in order to provide the best possible policing services for and in partnership with, local people.”